Sharpe in
a tone of commiseration. "She's greatly to be pitied."
"Ah!" said Mrs. Oleander, carelessly; "you couldn't help her, you know,
even if you would. There's Peter, and Sally, and me on the watch all day
long, and from nightfall we let loose Tiger and Nero. They'd tear you
both to pieces in five minutes. Tell her so, poor creature, if she talks
any more of escape."
"I will, ma'am," responded the respectful Mrs. Sharpe.
Mrs. Oleander ascended the stairs and went to her own room, very well
satisfied with the submissive and discreet new nurse; and the new nurse
descended to the kitchen, and prepared her patient's supper of tea and
toast, delicate sliced ham, and raspberry preserves.
The dusk of the sunless afternoon was falling out-of-doors ere her
preparations were completed, and the stair-ways and halls of the dreary
house were in deepest gloom as she returned to her patient's room.
She found that unhappy little patient lying prone on her face on the
floor, as still, as motionless as if death had hushed forever that
impulsive heart. She made no sign of having heard when Mrs.
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