It was with an overflowing heart that Paula raised her uncle's hand to her lips--Orion's father, might she not say HER Orion's ?--Then she kissed her aunt--his mother, and it was long since she had done so--as she and little Mary bid her good-night.
Neforis accepted the kiss coolly but with some surprise, and looked up enquiringly at the girl and at her son.

No doubt she thought many things, but deemed it prudent to give them no utterance for the present.
She allowed the girl to retire as though nothing unusual had occurred, superintended the servants who came to carry her husband into his bedroom, gave him the white globule which was to secure him sleep, and with indefatigable patience turned and moved his pillows till his couch was to his mind.

Not till then, nor till she was satisfied that a servant was keeping watch in the adjoining room, did she leave him; and then--for there was danger in delay--she went to seek her son.
This tall, large and rather too portly woman had been in her youth a slender and elegant girl; a graceful creature though her calm and expressionless features had never been strikingly beautiful.

Age had altered them but little; her face was now that of a good-looking, plump, easy-going matron, which had lost its freshness through long and devoted attendance on the sick man.

Her birth and position gave her confidence and self-reliance, but there was nothing gracious or captivating in her individuality.