he said, bending over the
bed and holding out his hand. "But send for me if you want me, won't
you? And I'll look in to-morrow to see how you are."

"One moment." Her hand in his felt strangely alive in spite of her
recent unconsciousness. "Put on a little more light, please, Tochatti. I
should like to see"--she spoke without any embarrassment--"to what sort
of person I am indebted this evening."

When, the next instant, the room was flooded with light, Anstice had no
scruples in looking at his patient with an interest which, though less
openly expressed, was quite as strong as that with which she evidently
intended to scrutinize him.

The first thing he noticed was that Mrs. Carstairs was young--probably
not more than twenty-five. The next, that she looked as though she had
recently gone through some nerve-racking experience; and the last, which
came upon him with a shock of unjustifiable surprise, that she was more
than commonly good-looking.

Her features, as he saw for the first time, were classical in outline,
and the silky black hair which lay in heavy waves on her forehead shaded
a brow which in contour was almost purely Greek. Her skin was of so thin
and transparent a whiteness that her black eyebrows traced two inky
lines across her face; and the almond shape of her sapphire blue eyes
gave them a somewhat Oriental look, in spite of their eminently Western
colouring.

When, in response to his stare, she vouchsafed a faint smile, he saw
that the mouth which was sad in repose was fascinating when she smiled;
and the white teeth which the smile displayed were perfect in shape and
colour.

"Well?" Her deep voice took him so much aback that he absolutely
started. "You've seen me--haggard wreck that I am--and I've seen you. So
now we may consider our acquaintance inaugurated and say good-night."

"Certainly." He looked at her closely; and noted her extreme pallor. "I
hope you will sleep--you look shockingly tired."

"I told you I was a wreck," she said, still with that inscrutable smile.
"But if you will take me in hand I have no doubt I shall soon recover my
ordinary rude health."

"I hope so." His tone was absent--he was wondering whether he had ever
seen this woman before; and coming, finally, to the conclusion that he
had not. "Well, I will leave you now, and hope to find you a great deal
better in the morning."

"Thanks." She spoke wearily. "I'm sorry to have troubled you.
Good-night."

In the hal