‘Never mind to-night,’ I returned cheerfully.  ’I am quite fresh, and shall not need much sleep.  No doubt the room will be ready for me to-morrow.’

’Well, I suppose it is too late to disturb them now; but I feel very much ashamed of our inhospitality.’  Then, in rather an embarrassed voice, ’I am afraid I must have seemed rather ungracious in my manner downstairs, but I am really very grateful to you.’

This was too much for me.  ’Please don’t talk of being grateful to me, Mr. Hamilton,’ I returned, rather too impulsively.  ’You do not know how glad I am to do anything for you—­all.’  The word ‘all’ was added as though by an afterthought, and came in a little awkwardly.

There was a sudden gleam in Mr. Hamilton’s eyes; he seemed about to speak; impetuous words were on his tongue, then he checked himself.

‘Thank you.  Good-night, Nurse Ursula,’ he said, very kindly, and I went back to Gladys, feeling happier than I had felt since that afternoon when he had given me the roses.

Gladys was quieter that night; she slept fitfully and uneasily, and moaned a little as though she were conscious of pain, but there was no alarming excitement.

Early the next morning I heard them preparing Lady Betty’s room, and once when I went into the passage in search of Chatty I met Leah coming out with a dusting-brush:  she looked very sullen, and took no notice of my greeting.  Chatty helped me arrange my goods and chattels:  as we worked together she told me confidentially that master had been scolding Leah, and had told her she ought to be ashamed of herself, and when Miss Darrell had taken her part he had been angry with her too.  ’Thornton says Miss Darrell has been crying, and has not eaten a mouthful of breakfast,’ went on Chatty; but I silenced these imprudent communications.  It was quite evident that I was a bone of contention in the household, and that Mr. Hamilton would have some difficulty in subduing Leah’s contumacy.

I wrote to Ellen Watson that morning, and soon received a rapturous acceptance of my invitation.  She would be delighted to come to the cottage and to look after my poor people.

‘I am very much stronger,’ she wrote, ’but I must not go back to the hospital for two months:  a breath of country air will be delicious, and it is so good of you, my dear Miss Garston, to think of me.  I am sure Mrs. Barton will make me comfortable, and I will do all I can for poor Janet Coombe and that dear little burnt child.’

I showed Mr. Hamilton the letter, and while he was reading it Chatty brought me word that Uncle Max was waiting to speak to me.

‘If you like to go down to him I will wait here until you come back,’ he said; and I was too glad to avail myself of this offer, for Gladys seemed more suffering and restless than usual.  I found Max walking up and down the drawing-room.  As he came forward to meet me his face looked quite old and haggard.