She sat curled up upon the floor, with her head thrown back against the wall, and her hands clasped round her knees.

She had yet to wait.

Meanwhile, the invalid was slowly rousing himself from a long, deep, sound, health-giving sleep.

His mother had sat by him the night through, and was now daring to change her position for the first time; she was even venturing to give directions in a low voice to the old nurse, who had dozed away in an arm-chair, ready to obey any summons of her mistress.

Mrs Bellingham went on tiptoe towards the door, and chiding herself because her stiff, weary limbs made some slight noise.