about the child-angel that will come whenever I begin to describe
her."

"It strikes me, though, that you are getting on pretty well. You were
speaking of 'love and tenderness.' Well?"

"Well, she lay there senseless, you know, and I gently unclasped her
hands and began to rub them. I think the motion of carrying her, and
the fresh air, had both produced a favorable effect; for I had not
rubbed her hands ten minutes when she gave a low sigh. Then I rubbed
on, and her lips moved. I bent down close so as to listen, and I heard
her say, in a low voice,

"'Am I at home?'"

[Illustration: "I BENT DOWN CLOSE."]

"'Yes,' said I, gently, for I thought it was best to humor her
delirious fancy.

"Then she spoke again:

"'Is that you, papa dear?'

"'Yes, darling,' said I, in a low voice; and I kissed her in a kind of
paternal way, so as to reassure her, and comfort her, and soothe her,
and all that sort of thing, you know."

At this Hawbury burst into a shout of laughter.