‘Please let me have my things,’ she cried. ‘I wish to go away.’
‘So soon?’
‘Yes. They are following me. It will kill me if they find me. I am quite well. Quick! Let me go, for God’s sake!’
Sister Ursula did not reply, but stooping over the bed took the girl’s hand and placed her fingers upon the pulse, which she found bounding with all the force of violent fever.
‘Take my advice,’ she said gravely, ‘and stay with us to-day; to-morrow, perhaps, you will be strong enough to go.’
‘I am quite strong. I must go now. You have no right to detain me!’ cried the wanderer; and as she spoke she sat up, looking wildly and even angrily at her protectress. But it was only for a moment. Her head swam again, and she sank back shuddering.
‘O, madame!’ cried Adèle, ‘I am afraid she is very ill.’
‘Hush!’ said Sister Ursula. ‘Go down, and leave us alone together.’
The girls, accustomed to obey, left the room in a body, and Sister Ursula sat down by the bedside.
Jane Peartree lay moaning, and it was soon evident that her mind was wandering. She made no more attempts to rise, but murmured wildly to herself. Presently, when Sister Ursula bent over to speak to her again, she remained with half-closed eyes and made no articulate reply.