This was comforting. After more talk, Mrs. Yellam prevailed upon the nurse to lie down. She proposed to sit by Fancy. The baby could be trusted to be quiet, being a She, and, seemingly, blessed with a pleasant temper. Fancy still slept. Mrs. Yellam took the chair by the bedside. If nothing but care and vigilance were needed, they should be forthcoming. She vowed to herself that she would fight, tooth and nail, for this life, neglect no precaution, run no risk. Physically, she braced herself for the combat. Long ago, she had fought for the life of a child--and won! Doctor and mother had despaired. It was a case of pneumonia. Hour after hour Mrs. Yellam had applied hot cloths to the child's breast. And she had willed fiercely that the child should live. Her strong will _had_ saved it. Everybody admitted that, even the doctor. Fancy slept for some hours. She awoke refreshed, free from pain, but pitifully feeble. After obediently swallowing some food, she asked to see the "boy." "All in good time," said Mrs. Yellam blandly. "But I may drop off to sleep again." "And a very good thing, too. The baby is asleep." "Has he blue eyes?" "Baby's eyes be allers blue at first." "Is he like Alfred?" "The living image. Now, don't 'ee talk." "If you bring him to me, I'll be ever so quiet." "I'll bring the child directly minute. 'Tis a lil' beauty, and a real credit to 'ee. Alferd'll be tickled to death. Unbeknownst to yourself, dear, you bore him what he wanted, and what I wanted. Now, I'll bring her in." "Her----!" Fancy closed her eyes. Mrs. Yellam watched her anxiously. She saw two tears trickle down the disappointed mother's cheeks. But she was smiling, quick to see the joke against herself. She gave a little laugh, an attenuated sound, but the genuine article. "Let's see her, Mother." The Beauty was brought in. CHAPTER XIX SUSPENSE Sir Geoffrey returned home on Saturday, the 23rd, having achieved his purpose. From The Hague, within twenty-four hours, discreet enquiries would be made concerning Sergeant Yellam. But the answer might be delayed a week. On Sunday and on Christmas Day Mrs. Yellam's pew was empty, but everybody knew that she was in attendance upon Fancy. Hamlin preached what Uncle called a "very upliftin'" discourse, and Uncle made it his business to drop down to the Yellam cottage during the afternoon to learn how Fancy fared and to give his sister a synopsis of the morning's sermon. By the luck of things, the nurse had just got up, and was able to sit with Fancy, whilst Uncle talked with Susan in the kitchen. "She be low, Habakkuk, but I be fighting for her. Oh, me! there's so little of her. And no milk for the baby." "Lard preserve her dear life!" Susan frowned. "'Tis milk that be wanted." "You be right. Bottle-babies suffer crool wi' colic." "Not if I wash the bottles. Fancy have chosen the names." "Ah-h-h! Susan be one of 'em; I'll lay a crown-piece on that."