"Well," he answered, after a brief hesitation, "you could not then fancy that any one came in."
"I could not sleep with my door locked. If a fire took place in the house, I might be burnt up before any one could arouse me."
"Georgina, trust me," he said, impressively, and he laid his hand upon her shoulder, "I will take care of you in case of fire, and if your door is locked, burst it open. Turn the key of your door just now, to oblige me."
"Tell me what you suspect--that you should thus caution me."
"I--think it--just possible--that some one may walk in their sleep. Perhaps one of the maids."
"Oh! I should not like that," exclaimed Georgina, unsuspiciously. "I should be far more frightened if some one asleep came into my room in the night, than if they were awake."
"Just so: therefore you will lock your door. Promise me."
"I promise, Frederick."
He turned from her, and crossed the terrace to enter the breakfast-room, she looking after him, a whole world of love shining unconsciously from her wistful eyes. No, it was of no use: she had striven against her love; but it was all in vain. Passionately as she had loved Frederick St. John in the old days, before he had given signs of liking any one--unless it had been her cousin Sarah,--before he ever saw Adeline de Castella, so passionately she loved him still.