You were at my elbow in the drawing-room late last night.
Now, James," continued Mr.Rushbrook, with his usual grave directness, "I don't intend to commit suicide; I can't afford it, so keep your time and your rest for yourself--you want it--that's a good fellow." "Yes, sir." "James!" "Yes, sir." Rushbrook extended his hand.

There was that faint, rare smile on his handsome mouth, for which James would at any time have laid down his life.

But he only silently grasped his master's hand, and the two men remained looking into each other's eyes without a word.

Then Mr.
Rushbrook entered his room, lay down, and went to sleep, and James vanished in the shadow.
At the end of an hour Mr.Rushbrook awoke refreshed, and even James, who came to call him, appeared to have brightened in the interval.

"I have ordered a fire, sir, in the reserved room, the one fitted up from Los Osos, as your study has had no chance of being cleaned these two weeks.
It will be a change for you, sir.