ing of steady
command, as, the men said later, might have reached a dead man's ear.
"Father, 'tis Clo!"

Sir Jeoffry writhed his head round and glared at her, with starting eyes
and foaming mouth.

"Who says 'tis Clo?" he shouted. "'Tis a lie! She was ever a bigger
devil than any other, though she was but a handsome wench. Jack himself
could not manage her. She beat him, and would beat him now. 'Tis a
lie!"

All through that day and night the power of her Grace's white arm was the
thing which saved him from dashing out his brains. The two men could not
have held him, and at his greatest frenzy they observed that now and then
his bloodshot eye would glance aside at the beauteous face above him. The
sound of the word "Clo" had struck upon his brain and wakened an echo.

She sent away the men to rest, calling for others in their places; but
leave the bedside herself she would not. 'Twas a strange thing to see
her strength and bravery, which could not be beaten down. When the
doctor came again he found her there, and changed his surly and reluctant
manner in the presence of a duchess, and one who in her close linen gown
wore such a mien.

"You should not have left him," she said to him unbendingly, "even though
I myself can see there is little help that can be given. Thought you his
Grace and I would brook that he should die alone if we could not have
reached him?"

Those words "his Grace and I" put a new face upon the matter, and all was
done that lay within the man's skill; but most was he disturbed
concerning the lady, who would not be sent to rest, and whose noble
consort would be justly angered if she were allowed to injure her superb
health.

"His Grace knew what I came to do and how I should do it," the duchess
said, unbending still. "But for affairs of State which held him, he
would have been here at my side."

She held her place throughout the second night, and that was worse than
the first--the paroxysms growing more and more awful; for Jack was within
a yard, and stretched out a green and mouldy hand, the finger-bones
showing through the flesh, the while he smiled awfully.

At last one pealing scream rang out after another, until after making his
shuddering body into an arc resting on heels and head, the madman fell
exhausted, his flesh all quaking before the eye. Then the duchess waved
the men who helped, away. She sat upon the bed's edge close--close to
her father's body, putting her tw