I was wholly without protection.

I turned, because I couldn't help it--and my memory of what I saw is still vivid, after all these years.
Against the white pillows I saw the black head--I saw that young and beautiful face; and I saw the gracious eyes with a something in them which I had never seen there before.

They were snapping and flashing with indignation.

I felt myself crumbling; I felt myself shrinking away to nothing under that accusing gaze.

I stood silent under that desolating fire for as much as a minute, I should say--it seemed a very, very long time.