“Oh, if you don’t hate me, say just one word!” she sobbed. “I am so ashamed, but you said you loved me. Oh, Fitz, it’s not like you to be so unkind! And I thought you would be glad to know.” Surely he must answer now?--but she sobbed on, and there came no word of comfort. “Well, Miss North, and what’s all this about?” said Dr Tighe. He stood at the door, looking in at her, and Mabel sprang to her feet and confronted him, shaking with sobs, her face stained with tears. “It’s--it’s only--I was speaking to him, and he won’t answer,” she managed to say. “But I told you he wouldn’t. He can’t. Why, he doesn’t even hear you.” “I thought I could make him hear.” “As well try to wake the dead. No, no; what an idiot I am!” as she recoiled from him in terror. “Purely a figure of speech, nothing more. Now I will take a turn of watching, and do you go and get some rest.” “Oh no, I won’t leave him. I am not a bit tired.” “Go to Mrs North. She can’t sleep either, and she and her ayah have got some coffee for you. It will soon be daylight, and you had better rest while you can.” “As if I should think of leaving him!” repeated Mabel in scorn. “I won’t be defied by my own nurses, Miss North. If you don’t go peaceably, I’ll have you gently assisted out, and once outside this room you won’t get in again.” “Oh, how can you be so unkind!” sobbed Mabel, breaking down abjectly. “I am not unkind. I want you to help me a great deal with the poor fellow, and that’s why I insist upon your resting now. You shall come on duty again in four hours or so, and I’ll promise faithfully to call you if there’s any change in the meantime.” Slowly and reluctantly Mabel left the room, and went along the verandah to Georgia’s door. Georgia was sitting up in a long cane chair, and welcomed her cheerfully. “Come in, Mab. It seems absurdly early to be up, but I knew how cold and miserable you would feel after being awake all night. This is the very last of the coffee. Dr Tighe has lavished it upon us recklessly on the chance of our being relieved to-day, so make the most of it.” “I couldn’t touch it, Georgie!” with a gesture of disgust. “Oh yes, you can, to please me. After you have drunk it you shall lie down on my bed, and if you can’t sleep, we will talk. Why, you are shivering! Put on that shawl, and now drink the coffee,” and Mabel obeyed. “Let me stay here, Georgie,” she said when she had finished, sitting down on the floor, and laying her head on Georgia’s knee. “I like to be close to you. You understand things.” Georgia stroked her hair softly, and she went on, “Other people don’t understand--even Flora, or Dr Tighe. And Dick was horrid last night. The only person who seems to know how I feel is poor Eustace--he understands.” “Yes, he has suffered himself.”