d, but did not
move her own,--'it is absolutely necessary that you sleep, and at once.
What your nervous strain has been, I know not; but my training tells me
that it has been excessive, and still is. Its continuance is dangerous.
This road gets rougher as the night passes. If you will rest your head
upon my shoulder, I can hold you so that you will go to sleep.'

"Her face flushed, and she recovered her hand quickly.

"'You forget, sir, that'--

"'No, no; I forget nothing. I remember everything; that I am a stranger,
that you are ill, that you are rapidly growing worse, that, knowing as I
do your condition, I cannot sit here and not help you. It would be
brutal.'

"Her lips quivered, and her eyes filled. 'I believe you,' she said. Then,
turning quickly with an anxious look, 'But it will tire you.'

"'No; I have held my mother that way for hours at a time.'

"She put out her hand, laid it gently on my wrist, looked into my face
long and steadily, scanning every feature, as if reassuring herself, then
laid her cheek upon my shoulder, and fell asleep.

* * * * *

"When the rising sun burst behind a mountain-crag, and, at a turn in the
road, fell full upon her face, she awoke with a start, and looked about
bewildered. Then her mind cleared.

"'How good you have been. You have not moved all night so I might rest. I
awoke once frightened, but your hands were folded in your lap.'

"With this her whole manner changed. All the haughty reserve was gone; all
the cynicism, the distrust, and suspicion. She became as gentle and tender
as an anxious mother, begging me to go to sleep at once. She would see
that no one disturbed me. It was cruel that I was so exhausted.

"When the guard entered, she sent for her servant, and bade him watch out
for a pot of coffee at the next station. 'To think monsieur had not slept
all night!' When Polaff handed in the tray, she filled the cups herself,
adding the sugar, and insisting that I should also drink part of her
own,--one cup was not enough. Upon Polaff's return she sent for her
dressing-case. She must make her toilet at once, and not disturb me. It
would be several hours before we reached Vienna; she felt sure I would
sleep now.

"I watched her as she spread a dainty towel over the seat in front, and
began her preparations, laying out the powder-boxes, brushes, and comb,
the bottles of perfume, and the little knickknacks that make up the
fittings