‘If you behave yourself and try to control your feelings a little,’ I returned slowly, ‘I will say nothing about Uncle Max.’  But at the name she covered her face with her hands and rocked herself in agony.  In spite of all her sins I pitied her then.

At that moment Mr. Hamilton returned; but before he could speak I said quickly—­

’Your cousin is not in a condition to listen to you to-night, and it is very late:  I am going to take her up to her room and do what I can to help her.  Will you allow us to go?’

He looked at her and then at me.  His face was hard and sombre; there was no relenting there.  ‘Perhaps it will be better,’ he returned slowly.  ’Yes, you may go, but do not stay long with her.  I may want to speak to you again.’

‘Not to-night,’ I remonstrated; for I could see he was oblivious of the time, and it was near midnight.  ’To-morrow morning, as early as you like; but I cannot come down again.’

‘Oh, I see,’ the meaning of my words dawning upon him.  ’To-morrow morning, then.  Take her away now.’  And, without another glance, he walked away to his study table.

‘Come, Miss Darrell,’ I whispered, touching her; and she rose reluctantly.  ‘Giles,—­let me say one word to him,’ said she, trying to follow him feebly, but I recalled her sternly and made her follow me.  I had no fear of her now.  Leah, whom I dreaded, was locked safely in her room, and this poor miserable woman was harmless enough.

She broke into hysterical sobs and moans when I got her into her own room.  I was afraid Gladys might hear her, and I insisted on her showing more self-control.  My sharp words had their effect after a time, but it was impossible to induce her to undress or go to bed.  She had flung herself across the foot and lay crouched up in a heap, with all the delicate embroidery of her French dressing-gown crushed under her.  When she was quieter I put pillows under her head and covered her up warmly, and then sat down to watch her.

I was about to leave the room once to fetch something I wanted, when she suddenly struggled into a sitting posture, and begged me, in a voice of horror, not to leave her.

‘Leah will murder me if you do!’ she cried.  ’She has frightened me often,—­she says such things,—­oh, you do not know!  I should never have been so bad but for Leah!’

’I shall not be long; and Leah is locked in her room; Mr. Hamilton has the key,’ I returned quietly.  But it was with difficulty that she would let me go.  I suppose even criminals feel the need of sympathy.  Miss Darrell hated me in her heart, had always hated me, but the sight of even an unloved human face was better than solitude.  No wonder with such thoughts people go mad sometimes.

I was surprised to see Mr. Hamilton walking up and down the long passage, as though he were keeping guard.  He was going to let me pass him without a word, but I stopped and asked what he was doing.