So the night waned; and twice, when the warden’s wife stole to the door, he lilted his head and waved her back.  When the clock in the tower struck four, he felt a slight quiver in the fingers lying within his palm, and Beryl’s face turned on the pillow, bringing her head against his shoulder.  Was it the magnet of his touch drawing her unconsciously toward him, or merely the renewal of strength, attested already by the quickened throb of the pulse that beat under his clasp?  By degrees her breathing became audible to his strained ear, and once a sigh, such as escapes a tired child, told that nature was rallying her physical forces, and that the tide was turning.  Treacherous to his plighted troth, and to the trusting woman whom he had assiduously wooed and won, he yielded to the hungry yearning that possessed him, and suddenly pressed his lips to Beryl’s beautiful mouth.  Under that fervent touch, consciousness came back, and the lids lifted, the dull eyes looked into his with drowsy wonder.  Stepping swiftly to the door which stood ajar, he met Mrs. Singleton, and put his hand on her shoulder.

“She is awake, and will soon be fully conscious, but perfect quiet is the only safeguard against relapse.  When she remembers, leave her as much alone as possible, and answer no questions.”

Holding her baby on her breast, Mrs. Singleton whispered: 

“Put out the lamp, so that she can see nothing to remind her.”

As he took his hat, and put his hand on the lamp, he looked back at the cot, and saw the solemn eyes fixed upon him.  He extinguished the light, and passed into the room where Susie Singleton stood waiting.

“She will not know Sister Serena, and for a day or two I will keep out of sight when she is awake.  Mr. Dunbar, God has done His part, now see that you do yours.  Have you found out who ‘Ricordo’ is?”

“Certainly, it is a thing; not a person.  As yet the word has given no aid.”

“Then you have discovered nothing new during your absence?”

“Yes, I have found the missing half of the envelope which contained General Darrington’s will; but ask me no questions at present.  For her sake, I must work quietly.  Send me a note at twelve o’clock, that I may know her exact condition, and the opinion of the doctor.  Has nothing been heard from Dyce?”

“As far as I know, not a syllable.”

They shook hands, and once more Mr. Dunbar sprang into his saddle.  Overhead the constellations glowed like crown jewels on black velvet, but along the eastern horizon, where the morning-star burned, the sky had blanched; and the air was keen with the additional iciness that always precedes the dawn.  Earth was powdered with rime, waiting to kindle into diamonds when the sun smote its flower crystals, and the soft banners of white fog trailed around the gray arches and mossy piers of the old bridge.  At a quick gallop Mr. Dunbar crossed the river, passed through the heart of the city, and slackened his pace