myself by his side. Quietness seemed desirable, and I was not inclined to
break it. Now and then I moistened his lips with a little wine and water.
Seeing that I still sat by the crib, the nurse lay down upon a settee and
fell asleep.

Hours thus passed. The days were short and twilight came on rapidly.
Sitting there in the gathering gloom, I began to hum inadvertently a
little song which Herbert loved me to sing to him. Hearing my voice chant
his favorite ditty, the poor little creature stirred in his crib, and his
pale lips parted into a smile. Presently, in broken tones he asked, "Is
that Miss Reef?"

"Yes, Herbert, darling, I have come to sing to you," said I, mastering my
emotions and chirruping more loudly his beloved song.

The effect seemed truly magical--he endeavored to raise up his little
body. "Oh sing it again," he cried.

"Would you like to sit upon my knee?"

He nodded assent, and I made an effort to lift him up, but he was weak
and heavy, and I not sufficiently strong to sustain him. As he fell back,
my eyes caught sight again of those fearful marks. Some power outside of
myself forced me to ask, "Herbert, what ails your throat; has any one
hurt you?"

At the question, a tremor fearful to witness passed through his frame,
and looking at me with an expression of preternatural intelligence, he
whispered, "He tried to choke me."