Altogether, there was something so rarely lofty in herself and all that clad her that, face to face with it and with her, my feeble attempt at moral precaution seemed puny, ridiculous, and out of place.

Without a word in the doing, I took from an old chiffonier chest an armful of blankets, several of which I threw over her as she lay, for in the meantime, having replaced the coverlet, she had lain down at length on the bed.

I took a chair, and sat down beside her.

When she stretched out her hand from beneath the pile of wraps, I took it in mine, saying: "Get warm and rest.

Sleep if you can.