The earl's dark eyes were gleaming with light, and every tone of his voice was proud and manly, as the strong, manly soul, counteracting all physical infirmities, rose up for the protection for the one creature in all the world who to him had been most dear.
"You'll order apartments in the hotel, nurse.

See that every thing is right and comfortable for Mrs.Bruce.

I shall bring them back at once, if I can," was his last word as he drove off, alone with Malcolm: he wished to have no one with him who could possibly be done without.
It was nearly midnight when they stood at the foot of the high stair-- six stories high--and Captain Bruce, they learned, was inhabiting the topmost flat.

Malcolm looked at the earl uneasily.
"The top flat! Miss Helen canna be vera well aff, I doubt.

Will I gang up and see, my lord"?
"No, I will go myself.