"Oh, darling, don't--don't!" whispered Dinah piteously.
"I won't, dearest." Very tenderly Isabel kissed her again. "I didn't mean to distress you. Only I want you to know that you are just all the world to me--the main-spring of what life there is left to me. I shall never forgive myself for leading you away on that terrible Sunday, and causing you all this suffering."
"Oh, but I should have been home again by now if that hadn't happened," said Dinah quickly. "See what I should have missed! I'd far, far rather be ill with you than well at home."
"Yours isn't a happy home, sweetheart," Isabel said gently.
"Not very," Dinah admitted. "But being away makes it seem much worse. I have been so spoilt with you."
Isabel smiled. "I only wish I could keep you always, dear child."
Dinah drew a sharp breath. "Oh, if you only could!" she said.
Isabel pressed her to her heart, and laid her down. "I must get you back to bed, dear," she said. "We have talked too long already."
Late that night Isabel went softly to the door in answer to a low knock, and found Scott on the threshold.
She lifted a warning finger. "She is asleep."
"That's right," he said quietly. "I only came to say good night to you. Are you going to bed now?"
She looked at him with a faint smile in her shadowed eyes. "I daresay I shall go some time," she said; then seeing the concern in his eyes: "Don't worry about me, Stumpy dear. I don't sleep a great deal, you know; but I rest."
He took her arm and drew her gently outside the room. "I want you to take care of yourself now that she is safe," he said. "Will you try?"
The smile still lingered in her eyes. She bent her stately neck to kiss him. "Oh yes, dear; I shall be all right," she said. "It does me good to have the little one to think of."
"I know," he said. "But don't wear yourself out! Remember, you are not strong."
"Nothing I can do for her would be too much," she answered with quick feeling. "Think--think what she has done for me!"
"For us all," said Scott gently. "But all the same, dear, you can spare a little thought for yourself now." He hesitated momentarily, then: "I think Eustace would like to see more of you," he said, speaking with a touch of diffidence.
She made a sharp gesture of impatience. "Why did you send him to disturb the child's peace?"