"First of all," she said, with a half nervous laugh, "don't scold James; it's all my fault; I forbade him to announce me, lest you should drive me away, for I heard that during this excitement you came here for rest, and saw no one.

Even the intrusion into this room is all my own.

I confess now that I saw it the last night I was here; I was anxious to know if it was unchanged, and made James bring me here.

I did not understand it then.

I do now--and--thank you." Her face must have shown that she was conscious that he was still holding her hand, for he suddenly released it.