"Oh, Smith, how do you know?" she returned quickly, looking up with her
eyes still shining with large drops.

Then, of Chastel's whispered words to me, I repeated those four, "I
shall not die," but nothing more; they were however, a great relief to
her, and her sweet, sorrowful face brightened like a drooping flower
after rain.

"Ah, she knew, then, that the touch of your hand would cause sleep, that
sleep would save her," she said, smiling up at me.

"And you, my darling, how long is it since you closed those sweet
eyelids that seem so heavy?"

"Not since I slept three nights ago."

"Will you sit by me here, resting your head on me, and sleep a little
now?"

"Not there!" she cried quickly. "Not on the mother's couch. But if you
will sit here, it will be pleasant if I can sleep for a little while,
resting on you."

I placed myself on the low seat she led me to, and then, when she had
coiled herself up on the cushions, with her arms still round my neck,
and her head resting on my bosom, she breathed a long happy sigh, and
dropped like a tired child to sleep.

How perfect my happiness would have been then, with Yoletta in my arms,
clasping her weary little ministering hands in mine, and tenderly