This is loosening hold, and being beaten by that One who hates me and laughs to see what I have come to." Naught but that unnatural engine of will could have held her within bounds and restrained the mounting female weakness that beset her; but this engine being stronger than all else, it beat her womanish and swooning terrors down.
"Through this one day I must live," she said, "and plan, and guard each moment that doth pass.

My face must tell no tale, my voice must hint none.

He will be still--God knows he will be still enough." Upon the divan itself there had been lying a little dog; 'twas a King Charles' spaniel, a delicate pampered thing, which attached itself to her, and was not easily driven away.

Once during the last hour the fierce, ill-hushed voices had disturbed it, and it had given vent to a fretted bark, but being a luxurious little beast, it had soon curled up among its cushions and gone to sleep again.

But as its mistress walked about muttering low words and ofttimes breathing sharp breaths, it became disturbed again.