ff?"

"The snap caught just as you came, and I couldn't unfasten it."

"Did the General know that you tried them on?"

"Of course not. He was asleep."

"Bend your head down, and let me look at the snap."

She leaned towards him, bringing her neck against his hand. The little
curls of bright hair sprang up towards his fingers as he worked at the
obstinate catch. But he did his work steadily, and as she straightened
up again, he dropped the collar into her hand.

"If you will take my advice," he said, "you won't do a thing like that
again. People might not understand."

"You mean that they might think I had stolen it? I am not a thief,
Doctor--"

"Of course not. Do you think you have to tell me that? And are we
quarrelling, Hilda?"

She swung back to her normal calm. "I am tired and cross--"

"I know you are tired. I hope the day nurse will relieve you. I can
get two nurses, and let you off entirely."

She shook her head. "I'll stay here. I am interested in the case.
And I want to see it through. By the way, he has asked again for wine."

"He can't have it, I told you. You must say that my orders are strict."

He held out his hand. "Then you won't go to France with me?"

"Let me sleep on it,"--her fingers were firm on his own--"and don't
scold me any more."

"Did I scold?"

"Yes."

"I am sorry."

She smiled at him. The slow smile which transformed her. "I'll
forgive you. Call me up in the morning, please."

She let him out, and went silently up the stairs. The General was
again awake. "I want to talk," he told her; "take off your cap, and
sit where I can look at you."

He was still feverish, still not quite responsible for what he might
say.

She sat with the light falling full upon her. She never made an
unnecessary movement, and her stillness soothed him. She was a good
listener, and he grew garrulous.

At last he spoke of his wife. "Sometimes I think she is here and I
find myself speaking. A little while ago, I thought I heard her moving
in her room, but when I opened my eyes you were bending over me.
Sometimes I seem to hear her singing--there is never a moment that I do
not miss her. If I were good enough I might hope to meet her--perhaps
the Lord will let the strength of my love compensate for the weakness
of my will."

So on and on in the broken old voice.

Bronson came at six, and Hilda went away to have some sleep. While the
General drowsed she had put th