The invalid lay plunged in her pillows, her dark hair tossed above her head, and, as Althea approached, she did not unclose her eyes.
'Oh, I beg your pardon,' said Althea, feeling some trepidation.

'My maid told me that you were ill--that you had influenza, and I know just what to do for it.

May I give you some medicine?
I do hope I have not waked you up,' for the invalid was now looking at her with some astonishment.
'No; I wasn't asleep.

How very kind of you.

I thought it was the chambermaid,' she said.