As he did so, he ran against
Kitty's maid, Blanche, who was coming out. She shrank back as she saw
him, but not before the light of his candle had shone full upon her. Her
face was disfigured with tears, which were, indeed, still running down
her cheeks.
"Why, Blanche!" he said, standing still--then in the kind voice which
endeared him to the servants--"I am afraid your brother is worse?"
For the poor brother in hospital had passed through many vicissitudes
since his operation, and the little maid's spirits had fluctuated
accordingly.
"Oh no, sir--no, sir!" said Blanche, drying her eyes and retreating into
the shadows of the room, where only a faint flame of gas was burning.
"It's not that, sir, thank you. I was just putting away her ladyship's
things," she said, inconsequently, looking round the room.
"That was hardly what caused the tears, was it?" said Ashe, smiling. "Is
there anything in which Lady Kitty or I could help you?"
The girl, who had always seemed to him on excellent terms with Kitty,
gave a sudden sob.
"Thank you, sir; I've just given her ladyship warning."
"Indeed!" said Ashe, gravely.
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