was as ready to laugh now as he. But my nature is a contradictory
one, and I was not satisfied. The echo of her cry was still ringing in
my ears, and I felt as if I would give the world for a momentary peep
into their room. Influenced by this idea, I boldly knocked, and in an
instant--too soon for him not to have been standing near the door--I
heard his breath through the keyhole and the words:

"Who is there, and what do you want?"

"We heard a cry," was my response, "and I feared Mrs. Urquhart was ill
again."

"Mrs. Urquhart is very well," came hastily, almost gayly, from within.
"She had a dream, and was willing that every one should know it. Is not
that all?" he said, seemingly addressing his wife.

There was a murmur within, and then I heard her voice. "It was only a
dream, dear Mrs. Truax," it said, and convinced against my will, I was
about to return to my room, when I brushed against Burritt. He had not
moved, and did not look as if he intended to.

"Come," said I, "there is no use of our remaining here."

"Can't help it," was his whispered reply. "In this hall I stay till
morning. When I see a lamb in the care of a wolf, I find it hard to
sleep. There is a door between us, but please God there shan't be
anything more."

And knowing Burritt, I did not try to argue, but went quietly and
somewhat thoughtfully to my room, vaguely relieved that I left him
behind, though convinced there would be no further need of his services.

And so it was. No more sounds disturbed the house, and when I came down,
with the first streak of daylight, I found Burritt gone about his work.

Breakfast was served to the Urquharts in their own room. I had wished to
carry it in myself, but I found this inconvenient, and so I sent Hetty.
When she came back I asked her how Mrs. Urquhart looked.

"Very well, ma'am," was the quick reply. "And see! I don't think she's
as unhappy as we all thought last night, or she wouldn't be giving me a
bright new crown."

I glanced at the girl's palm. There was indeed a bright new crown in it.

"Did she give you that?" I inquired.

"Yes, ma'am; she herself. And she laughed when she did it, and said it
was for the good breakfast I had brought her."

I was busy at the time, and could not stop to give the girl's words much
thought; but as soon as I had any leisure, I went to see for myself how
Mrs. Urquhart looked when she laughed.

I was five minutes too late. She had just donned her travelin