"What is it?" I cried. "Norah? Max? The children?"
He shook his head. "They are well, so far, as I
know. I--perhaps first I should tell you--although this
is not the thing which I have to say to you--"
"Yes?" I urged him on, impatiently. I had never seen
him like this.
"I do not sail this week. I shall not be with Gluck
in Vienna this year. I shall stay here."
"Here! Why? Surely--"
"Because I shall be needed here, Dawn. Because I
cannot leave you now. You will need--some one--a
friend--"
I stared at him with eyes that were wide with terror,
waiting for I knew not what.
"Need--some one--for--what? I stammered. "Why should
you--"
In the kindly shadow of the trees Von Gerhard's hands
took my icy ones, and held them in a close clasp of
encouragement.
"Norah is coming to be with you--"
"Norah! Why? Tell me at once! At once!"
"Because Peter Orme has been sent home--cured," said
he.
The lights of the pavilion fell away, and advanced,
and swung about in a great sickening circle. I shut my
eyes. The lights still swung before my eyes. Von
Gerhard leaned toward me with a word of alarm. I clung
to his hands with all my strength.
"No!" I said, and the savage voice was not my own.
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