I neither require nor desire assistance." "Pardon me, you do require it, and if you refuse to see the doctor--" "Is that any reason why I should resort to you--and kitchen soap ?" "I grant it is a very homely remedy, Miss Vernor, but it is an excellent one and the only one I know." "I daresay.

It is one more than I know of." "You will not try it ?" "No." "Perhaps you are afraid of the pain attending the dressing ?" It was a masterly stroke.

Gerald gave him one look of intense scorn, almost of anger, and immediately reached out her hand.

"I am afraid of nothing--not even of your lack of skill." Denham took her hand without further ceremony, and holding it firmly, pushed back the hanging lace from her arm and began rubbing the soap over the burns, without so much as a word of pity for the pain he knew he was giving her.

She winced involuntarily at the first touch, but set her teeth tightly lest she should cry out.