"And some wine ?" They brought her meat and wine; she ate, though she was choking.

"Now, please, bring me my letters, and leave me alone; and after that I should like to speak to Canon Livingstone.

Don't let him go, please.

I won't be long--half an hour, I think.

Only let me be alone." There was a hurried feverish sharpness in her tone that made Mrs.Forbes very anxious, but she judged it best to comply with her requests.
The letters were brought, the lights were arranged so that she could read them lying on her bed; and they left her.