"Miss Sterling, I believe," said he; and with no further word,
turned and led me down the hall to the sick-room. I noticed even
then that he paused and listened before he pushed open the door, and
that with our first step inside he cast a look of inquiry at the bed
that had something beside a son's loving anxiety in it. And I hated
the man as I would a serpent, though he bowed as he set me a chair,
and was careful to move a light he thought shone a little too
directly in my eyes.

The other brother was not present, and I could give my undivided
attention to my charge. I found her what report had proclaimed her
to be, a handsome woman of the sternly imposing type. Even with her
age against her and the shadow of death lying on her brow and cheek,
there was something strangely attractive in the features and the
stately contour of her form. But it was attraction that was confined
to the eye, and could by no means allure the heart, for the same
seal of mysterious reserve was upon her that characterized her sons,
and in her, as in the younger one of these, it inspired a distrust
which I could imagine no smile as dissipating. She lay in a state of
coma, and her heavy breathing was the only sound that broke the
silence of the great room. "God help me!" thought I; but had no wish
to leave. Instead of that, I felt a fearful pleasure in the prospect
before me--such effect had a single look had upon me from eyes I
trembled to meet again or read.

I do not know how long I sat there gazing in the one direction for
that faint sign of life for which the doctor had bid me watch. That
he who inspired me with dread was behind me, I knew; but I would not
turn my head towards him. I was determined to resist the power of