"I shouldn't have come, perhaps," said Rosamond, "if that sick woman hadn't been so nervous and disagreeable. She paid enormous sums for her board, and so Mrs. Lindsey would hardly let us breathe for fear of disturbing her. My room was over hers, and I had to take off my shoes and walk on tiptoe, and even then she complained of me, saying I was rude and noisy, when I tried so hard to be still. I made some hateful remark about her in the hall, which she overheard, and when Mrs. Lindsey scolded me for it, saying she was a very wealthy lady from Florida, and accustomed to every attention at home, I said back some pert things, I suppose, for she threatened to write and tell you, and so I thought I'd come and tell you myself." There was a dizzy whirl in Mr. Browning's brain--a pallor about his lips--for a terrible suspicion had flashed upon him, and leaning forward, he said in a voice almost a whisper, "What was the Florida lady's name?" "Potter, or Porter--yes, _Miss Porter_, that was it. But what is the matter? Are you sick?" Rosamond asked, as she saw how white he was. "Only a sudden faintness. It will soon pass off," he said. "Tell me more of her. Did she see you? Were you near her?" "No," answered Rosamond. "She was sick all the time I was there, and did not leave her room. The girls said, though, that she was rather pretty, but had big, black, evil-looking eyes. I don't know why it was, but I felt afraid of her--felt just as though she was my evil genius. I couldn't help it--but you _are_ sick, Mr. Browning--you are pale as a ghost. Lie down upon the sofa, and let me bring the pillows, as I used to do." She darted off in the direction of his sleeping-room, unconscious of the voice which called after her, asking if it were not dark in the hall, and bidding her take a light. "But what does it matter?" he said, as he tottered to the sofa. "_She_ is not here. Atwater Seminary is two hundred miles away. She can't harm Rosamond now." By this time Rosamond came with the pillows, which she arranged upon the sofa, making him lie down while she sat by, and laid her hand soothingly upon his burning forehead. "We will have tea in here to-night," she said, "I told Mrs. Peters so, and I will make it myself. Do you feel any better?" and she brought her rosy face so near to his that he felt her warm breath upon his cheek. "Yes, I am better," he replied, "but keep your hand upon my forehead. It assures me of your presence, when my eyes are shut."