But Miss Wickham had been more shaken at the prospect of losing her young companion, who was so thoroughly broken in, than she would have liked to have confessed.  She detested new faces about her, and as a matter of fact, she came as nearly caring for Nora as it was possible for her to care for any human being.  She had told the girl then that it was her intention to make some provision for her at her death, so that she might have a decent competence and not be obliged to look for another position.  There was, of course, the implied understanding that she would remain with Miss Wickham until that lady was summoned to a better and brighter world, a step which Miss Wickham, herself, was in no immediate hurry to take.  In the meantime, she knew perfectly well just how often a prospective legacy could be dangled before expectant eyes with perfect delicacy.

It furnished her with an additional weapon, too, against her nephew, James Wickham, and his wife, both of whom she cordially detested, although she fully intended leaving them the bulk of her fortune.  The consideration and tenderness she showed toward Nora when Mr. and Mrs. Wickham ran down from London to see their dear aunt showed a latent talent for comedy, on the part of the chief actress, of no mean order.  These occasions left Nora in a state of mind in which exasperation and amusement were about equally blended.  It was amusing to note the signs of apprehension on the part of Miss Wickham’s disagreeable relatives as they noted their aunt’s doting fondness for her hired companion.  And while she felt that they richly deserved this little punishment, it was humiliating to be so cynically made use of.

And now it was all over.  After a year of illness and gradual decline the end had come two days before.  Nothing could induce Miss Wickham to have a professional nurse.  The long strain and weeks of broken rest had told even on Nora’s strength.  Kindly Dr. Evans had insisted that she be put immediately to bed and Kate, the parlor maid, who had always been devoted to her, had undressed her as if she had been a baby.  For the last two days she had done little but sleep the dreamless sleep of utter exhaustion.  And to-day was the day of the funeral.  She was just about to ring to find the time, when Kate’s gentle knock came at the door.

“Come in.  Good morning, Kate.  Do tell me the time.  Oh!  How good it is to be lazy once in a while.”

“Good morning to you, Miss.  I hope you’re feeling a bit rested.  It’s just gone eleven.  Dr. Evans has called, Miss.  He told me to see if you had waked.”

“How good of him.  Ask him to wait a few moments and I’ll come right down.”  ‘Coming right down’ was not so easy a matter as she had thought.  Nora found herself strangely weak and languid.  She was still sitting on the edge of her bed, trying to gather energy for the task of dressing, when Kate returned.

“I beg your pardon, Miss, but Dr. Evans says you’re not to get up until he sees you.  I’m to bring you a bit of toast and your tea and to help you freshen up a bit and then he will come up in twenty minutes.  He says to tell you that he has plenty of time.”