The keen eyes of William Hinkley understood the meaning of
this significant but unsyllabling mode of utterance, and his eyes
spoke the reproach to hers which his lips left unsaid:--
"Ah! did I not risk my life too, to prevent--to save? When would
she feel such an interest in me? when would she look thus were my
life at stake?"
"He will not be neglected," said the old man, gently endeavoring
to restrain her. Perhaps she would not have given much heed to
the interruption, for hers was the strength of an unfettered will,
one accustomed to have way, but that, at this moment, the eyes of
Stevens unclosed and met her own. His consciousness had returned,
and, under the increasing expression in his looks, she sunk back,
and permitted the old man to lead her along the homeward path. More
than once she looked back, but, with the assurance of Mr. Calvert
that there was no more danger to be apprehended, she continued to
advance; the worthy old man, as they went, seeking to divert her
mind, by pleasant and choice anecdotes of which his memory had
abundant stores, from dwelling upon the unpleasant and exciting
event which had just taken place.
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