Out of her sphere - University Library

102 OUT OF HER SPHERE.
seemed inborn, and her patient did not
make many calls upon her self-denial. He
was not exacting or troublesome even in
illness. She was a light sleeper, and got
her fair share of rest in his room, and sat
and sewed by the window in the intervals
of her ministrations, looking always the
same—neat, cool, well-bred, and patient
—
altogether, in Mr. Harben's opinion, as she
was in that of many others, a model young-
woman of her class. She kept strict
watch, though there was little need to da
so. Mr. Thornton never again relapsed
into delirious talk ; but Clare liked to be on
the safe side. There was no knowing
when he might do so, and whatever dark
secret the Fort held, neither Mr. Harben
nor Deb should share with her until such
time as it should be a secret no more. She
was waiting, she hardly knew for what,
but before long, something more than mere
gossip and scandal must arise from Mrs,