The woman continued insensible, and as they could gain no clew to her identity, Adrian, fearing she had been seriously injured in falling, began to wonder what would be best to do with her.
A policeman now appeared, and advised that she be taken to some hospital, and deeming this the wisest course to pursue, the young man gave directions that she be taken to St. George’s, it being the finest one in the city.
“But what will become of the child?” he asked, in perplexity, as he saw it in Brownie’s arms.
“Take him to the station-house until called for,” some one said, heartlessly.
“Oh, no!” exclaimed Brownie, with an appealing, terrified look at her husband; while the child, frightened at being so curiously regarded, threw his little arms around her neck and hid his face upon her shoulder.
She clasped him to her with a sudden thrill.
“Let us keep him until his parents come to claim him,” she said, in a low tone, to her husband.
“But, dearest, it will never do for you to have the care of him,” he returned, disapprovingly.
“Ah! Adrian, he is such a darling, I should like it. Milly will assist in the care of him, and, in all probability, his parents will claim him by to-morrow.”
“That is true,” he said, hesitatingly.