She opened her eyes and smiled—then the lids went down. Still that look, the look that made her a stranger.

Was this death? . . .

Bettina shrank from it. But I told her not to leave the room a second. I would bring the doctor quickly.

Bettina's face. ... "I cannot stay alone," she whispered.

"I will send up one of the servants."

She held my arm. "Suppose . . . while you are gone—— Oh, I am afraid."

"I will run all the way," I said.