May I--go ?" as gently as a tender, appealing girl.
And moved by this, as by her pallor, more than his man's words could have told, he gave her his arm and drew her quickly and supportingly away.
Mistress Anne did not sleep well that night, having much to distract her mind and keep her awake, as was often in these days the case.

When at length she closed her eyes her slumber was fitful and broken by dreams, and in the mid hour of the darkness she wakened with a start as if some sound had aroused her.

Perhaps there had been some sound, though all was still when she opened her eyes; but in the chair by her bedside sat Clorinda in her night-rail, her hands wrung hard together on her knee, her black eyes staring under a brow knit into straight deep lines.
"Sister!" cried Anne, starting up in bed.

"Sister!" Clorinda slowly turned her head towards her, whereupon Anne saw that in her face there was a look as if of horror which struggled with a grief, a woe, too monstrous to be borne.
"Lie down, Anne," she said.

"Be not afraid--'tis only I," bitterly--"who need fear ?" Anne cowered among the pillows and hid her face in her thin hands.