hich would be suitable.
Stay; you must remove that wet--wet"--I stumbled about for a word that
would not be offensive--"that frock--dress--costume--whatever it is." I
pointed to where, in the corner of the room, stood a chintz-covered
folding-screen which fences in my cold sponge bath, which is laid ready
for me overnight, as I am an early riser.

She bowed gravely, and taking the dressing-gown in a long, white,
finely-shaped hand, bore it behind the screen. There was a slight
rustle, and then a hollow "flop" as the wet garment fell on the floor;
more rustling and rubbing, and a minute later she emerged wrapped from
head to foot in the long Jaeger garment, which trailed on the floor
behind her, though she was a tall woman. She was still shivering
painfully, however. I took a flask of brandy and a glass from a
cupboard, and offered her some; but with a motion of her hand she refused
it, though she moaned grievously.

"Oh, I am so cold--so cold!" Her teeth were chattering. I was pained at
her sad condition, and said despairingly, for I was at my wits' end to
know what to do:

"Tell me anything that I can do to help you, and I will do it. I may not
call help; there is no fire--nothing to make it with; you will not take
some brandy. What on earth can I do to give you warmth?"

Her answer certainly surprised me when it came, though it was practical
enough--so practical that I should not have dared to say it. She looked
me straight in the face for a few seconds before speaking. Then, with an
air of girlish innocence which disarmed suspicion and convinced me at
once of her simple faith, she said in a voice that at once thrilled me
and evoked all my pity:

"Let me rest for a while, and cover me up with rugs. That may give me
warmth. I am dying of cold. And I have a deadly fear upon me--a deadly
fear. Sit by me, and let me hold your hand. You are big and strong, and
you look brave. It will reassure me. I am not myself a coward, but
to-night fear has got me by the throat. I can hardly breathe. Do let me
stay till I am warm. If you only knew what I have gone through, and have
to go through still, I am sure you would pity me and help me."

To say that I was astonished would be a mild description of my feelings.
I was not shocked. The life which I have led was not one which makes for
prudery. To travel in strange places amongst strange peoples with
strange views of their own is to have odd experiences and