The child seemed pained at my repugnance, quitted me, and placed himself beside one of the windows.

The others continued to converse with each other in a low tone, and by their glances towards me I could perceive that I was the object of their conversation.

One in especial seemed to be urging some proposal affecting me on the being whom I had first met, and this last by his gesture seemed about to assent to it, when the child suddenly quitted his post by the window, placed himself between me and the other forms, as if in protection, and spoke quickly and eagerly.

By some intuition or instinct I felt that the child I had before so dreaded was pleading in my behalf.

Ere he had ceased another stranger entered the room.