my own bedroom, and this house
is so small it will be impossible to give you a bed here, Edwin. But
there's an hotel only a few yards away.'

'Yes, yes; don't trouble about that.'

'But you look so ill--you are shaking so. Is it a cold you have had
long?'

'Oh, my old habit; you remember. One cold after another, all through the
accursed winter. What does that matter when you speak kindly to me once
more? I had rather die now at your feet and see the old gentleness when
you look at me, than live on estranged from you. No, don't kiss me, I
believe these vile sore-throats are contagious.'

'But your lips are so hot and parched! And to think of your coming this
journey, on such a night!'

'Good old Biffen came to the station with me. He was angry because I had
kept away from you so long. Have you given me your heart again, Amy?'

'Oh, it has all been a wretched mistake! But we were so poor. Now all
that is over; if only Willie can be saved to me! I am so anxious for
the doctor's coming; the poor little child can hardly draw a breath. How
cruel it is that such suffering should come upon a little creature who
has never done or thought ill!'

'You are not the first, dearest, who has revolted against nature's
cruelty.'

'Let us go up at once, Edwin. Leave your coat and things here. Mrs
Winter--Edith's mother--is a very old lady; she has gone to bed. And I
dare say you wouldn't care to see Mrs Carter to-night?'

'No, no! only you and Willie.'

'When the doctor comes hadn't you better ask his advice for yourself?'

'We shall see. Don't trouble about me.'

They went softly up to the first floor, and entered a bedroom.
Fortunately the light here was very dim, or the nurse who sat by the
child's bed must have wondered at the eccentricity with which her
patient's father attired himself. Bending over the little sufferer,
Reardon felt for the first time since Willie's birth a strong fatherly
emotion; tears rushed to his eyes, and he almost crushed Amy's hand as
he held it during the spasm of his intense feeling.

He sat here for a long time without speaking. The warmth of the chamber
had the reverse of an assuaging effect upon his difficult breathing and
his frequent short cough--it seemed to oppress and confuse his brain. He
began to feel a pain in his right side, and could not sit upright on the
chair.

Amy kept regarding him, without his being aware of it.

'Does your head ache?' she whispered.

He nodded, but d