e's cool light voice.

"I am a friend," replied Cynthia quietly. "If you wish to talk to me, I
will come into the other room."

"Upon my word, you take things very calmly!" said Florence. "I really
never dreamt---- It is a most embarrassing situation!"

But she did not look embarrassed in the least; neither did Cynthia.

A heavier step on the boards now made itself heard, and the General's
face, ruddy and framed in venerable gray hairs, pressed forward over his
wife's shoulder.

"Oh, dear--oh, dear--this is very bad!" he grumbled, either to himself
or to Flossy. "Poor lad--poor lad! He looks very ill--he does indeed!"

Flossy came closer to the bed. As soon as she drew near, her brother
seemed to grow uneasy; he began to turn his head from side to side, to
move his hands, and to mutter incoherent words.

"You disturb him," said Cynthia, looking at Mrs. Vane. "The Doctor says
that he must be kept perfectly quiet. Will you kindly go into the other
room, and, if you want me, I will come to you."

"We are not particularly likely to want you, young woman," said Florence
coldly. "If you are not a qualified nurse, I do not see why you should
try to turn Mr. Lepel's own sister out of the room. It is your place to
go--not mine."

For all answer, Cynthia turned again to Hubert, and began applying ice
to his fevered head. She seemed absorbed by her task, and took no
further notice of the visitors. For once Flossy felt herself a little
quelled.

She turned to Mrs. Jenkins, who had followed her into the room.

"Has not the doctor procured a proper nurse yet for Mr. Lepel?" she
said.

Mrs. Jenkins fidgeted, and looked at Cynthia.

"The young lady," she said at last, "seems to be doing all that is
required, ma'am. The doctor says as we couldn't do better."

"In that case, my dear," said the pacific General, "I think that we had
better not interfere with existing arrangements. We will go back to the
hotel and inquire again in the morning."

"Go back to the hotel, and leave that person in possession?" cried
Flossy, with fine and virtuous scorn. "Are you mad, General? I will not
put up with such a thing for a moment! She will go out of this house
before I go!"

These words reached Cynthia's ears. The girl simply smiled. The smile
said, as plainly as words could have done, that she would not leave
Hubert Lepel's rooms unless she was taken away from them by force.

Meanwhile Mrs. Jenkins was whispering and explaining,