Pointing to a lounge on the opposite side of the room, he said:
“Madam, if you are weary you can lie down there until morning. I shall take charge of your patient henceforth.”
“By what right?” she demanded, bridling.
“The right of her promised husband,” he answered, sternly.
The woman started violently, searched his face a moment, her own growing very pale again.
“Are you——” she began, but her lips refused to complete the sentence.
“My name is Earle Wayne. Doubtless you have heard it before, and now surmised as much,” he said, not pitying her agitation in the least.
“I do not believe it,” she at last said, in a low, angry tone, while at the same time she steathily moved in the direction of the bell-pull.
Earle marked the movement.
“You will please sit over there,” he said, quietly, and pointing to the lounge. “I am not in need of any assistance at present, and can summon it myself if I think it necessary. It will be wiser for you to comply with my request,” he added, sternly, as she hesitated. “If you make any disturbance, I will have you lodged in a station-house in less than half an hour.”