I wish I could sleep off the pain of my foolish prank! The sunlight is beginning to be troublesome.

I cannot bear it; it is blinding.

Draw the curtain over the window." Cordula's own maid hastened to obey the order.

Els helped the countess turn on her pillows, and as in doing so she touched her arm, the sufferer cried angrily: "Who cares what hurts me?
Not even you!" Here she paused.

The pleading glance which Els had cast at her must have pierced her soft heart, for her bosom suddenly heaved violently and, struggling to repress her sobs, she gasped, "I know you mean kindly, but I am not made of stone or iron either.