he dull torpor of her brain a remembrance
began slowly to work. Something had happened! She had been tired and
cold; oh, cold, cold, cold; so cold that it had seemed impossible to
live. She had wandered on and on, through an eternity of darkness,
which had ended in the blackness of night. Her head throbbed with the
effort of thinking; she shut her eyes and lay quietly, waiting upon
remembrance.

Suddenly it came. A faint flush of colour showed itself in the white
cheek, and a tingle of warmth ran through the veins. She remembered now
upon whose arm she had hung, whose voice it was which had cheered her
onward; in trembling, incredulous fashion she remembered what that voice
had said!

A faint exclamation sounded through the stillness, whereupon Edith
looked round quickly, and hurried to the bedside.

"Margot! My darling! Do you know me at last?"

Margot smiled wanly. The smooth rounded face had fallen away sadly in
that week of fever and unconsciousness, and a little hand was pushed
feebly forward.

"Of course. I'm so glad! Edie, have I been ill?"

"Yes, darling; but you are better now. After a few days' rest you will
be well again. You must not be nervous about your dear self."

"And you came?"

"Yes, darling; Ron telegraphed, and father and I came up at once. Agnes
is taking care of the boys."

"So kind! I remember--it was the mist. Was--Ron--safe?"

"Yes, darling, quite safe. He and Mr Elgood arrived at the cottage
very soon after you, and were so thankful to find you there."

"Is--is _everybody_ well?"

Again that faint flush showed on the cheeks; but Edie was mercifully
blind, and answered with direct simplicity--

"Every one, dear, and you are going to be quite well, too. You must not
talk any more just now, for you are rather a weak little girl still.
Drink this cup of milk, and roll over, and have another nap. It is good
to see you sleeping quietly and peacefully again. There! Shut your
eyes, like a good girl!"

Then once more Margot floated off into unconsciousness; but this time it
was the blessed, health-restoring unconsciousness of sleep, such sleep
as she had not known for days past, and from which she awoke with rested
body and clearer brain.

When the dear father came in to kiss and greet her, a thin white hand
crept up to stroke his hair, and pull his ear in the way he loved,
whereupon he blinked away tears of thankfulness, and essayed to be
fierce and reproachful