Mr.Tracy Tupman gently pressed her hand to his lips, and sank upon the sofa.
'Are you faint ?' inquired the anxious Rachael.
'No,' said Mr.Tupman.

'It is nothing.

I shall be better presently.' He closed his eyes.
'He sleeps,' murmured the spinster aunt.

(His organs of vision had been closed nearly twenty seconds.) 'Dear--dear--Mr.Tupman!' Mr.Tupman jumped up--'Oh, say those words again!' he exclaimed.
The lady started.

'Surely you did not hear them!' she said bashfully.
'Oh, yes, I did!' replied Mr.Tupman; 'repeat them.