But there
was another sound - a mysterious shuffle at the door. He listened;
then jumped from his chair. Nothing now! Nothing! But still he
felt drawn to the door, and after what seemed an interminable
interval he went and opened it, his heart beating furiously. Nella
lay in a heap on the door mat. She was fully dressed, but had
apparently lost consciousness. He clutched at her slender body,
picked her up, carried her to the chair by the fire-place, and laid
her in it. He had forgotten all about Eugen.
'What is it, my angel?' he whispered, and then he kissed her -
kissed her twice. He could only look at her; he did not know what
to do to succour her.
At last she opened her eyes and sighed.
'Where am I?' she asked. vaguely, in a tremulous tone. as she
recognized him. 'Is it you? Did I do anything silly? Did I faint?'
'What has happened? Were you ill?' he questioned anxiously. He
was kneeling at her feet, holding her hand tight.
'I saw Jules by the side of my bed,' she murmured; 'I'm sure I saw
him; he laughed at me. I had not undressed. I sprang up,
frightened, but he had gone, and then I ran downstairs - to you.'
'You were dreaming,' he soothed her.
'Was I?'
'You must have been. I have not heard a sound. No one could have
entered.
But if you like I will wake Mr Racksole.'
'Perhaps I was dreaming,' she admitted. 'How foolish!'
'You were over-tired,' he said, still unconsciously holding her hand.
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