“You intend to nurse him to the end, I suppose?” “Yes. I am coming in here to sleep to-night, and his mother is going into our cottage. She has enough work without having restless nights tacked on to it.” “You cannot nurse him both day and night.” “Oh yes, I must! His mother never hears him.” “I think you must not. And to-morrow I am sending two nurses in from Todbrook’s home--night- and day-nurses.” “But _I_ mean to nurse him.” “No doubt. But he cannot exactly be left to your tender mercies. Whilst the novelty lasts, I don’t doubt you will be untiring; after that, you will want to return to your usual occupation--gallivanting out after questionable companions.” “No. I will nurse him till he dies. You must not send the nurses.” For some time he sat looking at her, then he said: “I will send one for the night. It is absurd your trying to do both; I doubt if you have the strength to carry out one successfully.” “I love him so well that I don’t feel it a trouble at all.” “Women, such as you, shouldn’t talk of love. You should say you’d taken a fancy to him.” “Why! what kind of a woman am I?” “Very shallow--easily moved by flattery--the shallowest flattery.” Marigold sat silent, too dignified to speak or to show any annoyance, and again he spoke. “I think perhaps I should be honest with you. Personally, I do not want you nursing this sick child. I would prefer to see you in your own house, minding your own business. But you have come, and he likes you, and it would be cruel to him to send you away. Not only that, but here you are out of the way of mischief for a time, for women of your stamp often work more havoc than they ever think. But listen. Promise me, as long as the child lives, you will see no more of the High Priest. You will promise to forget him, otherwise you can go. I will not have you round here, even for the child’s sake, with the sacredness of death shadowing the house, with that man’s presence to contaminate you.” And Marigold got up, and she said very quietly: “I will promise you. But I think you do me a great wrong in--in----” “You forget. I saw you yesterday before you saw me.” “Yes. Perhaps you are right then. But I will nurse him to the best of my ability, and I shall not tire. And for the rest, I am not really what you seem to think. I was trying to find out what the High Priest was like--I meant nothing more.” Mr Barringcourt raised his eyebrows. “Then I should advise you never to make ignorant experiments with humanity--the most explosive of all substances.” “Do you think so?” asked Marigold seriously. “Think? I am positive.” “Then perhaps he _isn’t_ human.” The unguarded laugh that followed from her companion awoke little Patches, who smiled too, well pleased to find himself, on waking, in such pleasant company.