Then and there my mind was made up that there should no harm assail her that I by any means could fend off.

Still, the present must be attended to; pneumonia and other ills stalked behind such a chill as must infallibly come on her unless precautions were taken.

I took again the dressing-gown which she had worn before and handed it to her, motioning as I did so towards the screen which had made a dressing-room for her on the former occasion.

To my surprise she hesitated.

I waited.