e felt as if his eyes were drawing her own. Against her will she
looked up and met them. They told her nothing, but at least they did not
frighten her afresh.

"Where are you going to take me?" she asked.

"We will speak of that later," he said. "Will you drink this now? You
need it."

"What is it, monsieur?"

For an instant she saw his faint, hard smile.

"It is broth, mademoiselle, nothing more."

"Nothing?" she said, still hesitating. "You--I think you gave me a
narcotic before!"

"I did," said Pierre. "And it did you good."

She did not attempt to contradict him. The repression of his manner held
her silent. Without further demur she sought to raise herself.

But her head swam the moment she lifted it from the pillow, and she sank
down again with closed eyes and drawn brows.

"In a moment," she whispered.

"Permit me," said Pierre quietly; and slipped his arm under her pillow.

She looked up sharply to protest, but the words died on her lips. She
saw that he would not be denied.

He supported her with absolute steadiness while she drank, not uttering
a word. Finally, he lowered her again, and spoke:

"It is time that your wound was attended to. With your permission I will
proceed with it at once."

"Is it serious, monsieur?" she asked.

"I can tell you better when I have seen it," he rejoined, beginning to
loosen the bandage. "Does it pain you?" as she winced.

"A little," she acknowledged, with quivering lips.

He glanced at her, and for the first time in all her experience of him
he spoke with a hint of kindness.

"It will not take long, Mademoiselle Stephanie. Shut your eyes till it
is over."

She obeyed him mutely. Her fear of the man was merging into a curious
feeling of reliance. She was beginning to realise that her enforced
dependence upon him had in some fashion altered his attitude towards
her.

"No," he said at last. "It is not a very serious matter, though it may
give you some trouble till it is healed. You will need to keep very
quiet, mademoiselle, and"--again momentarily she saw his smile--"avoid
agitating yourself as much as possible."

"You may rely upon me to do that, monsieur," she returned with dignity;
"if I am allowed to do so."

Again for an instant she felt his eyes upon her, and she thought he
frowned; but he made no comment.

Quietly he finished his bandaging before he spoke again.

"If there is any other way in which I can serve you," he said then, "you
ha