"Is it twelve o'clock yet?" she said; "I think I do not generally eat so
early. Put it away, please, carefully--no, do not take it away--only on
the table. When the clock strikes twelve I will eat it."
She lay down trembling. After a little while she said:
"Give me my clothes."
He looked at her.
"Yes; I am going to dress tomorrow. I should get up now, but it is rather
late. Put them on that chair. My collars are in the little box, my boots
behind the door."
Her eyes followed him intently as he collected the articles one by one, and
placed them on the chair as she directed.
"Put it nearer," she said, "I cannot see it;" and she lay watching the
clothes, with her hand under her cheek.
"Now open the shutter wide," she said; "I am going to read."
The old, old tone was again in the sweet voice. He obeyed her; and opened
the shutter, and raised her up among the pillows.
"Now bring my books to me," she said, motioning eagerly with her fingers;
"the large book, and the reviews and the plays--I want them all."
He piled them round her on the bed; she drew them greedily closer, her eyes
very bright, but her face as white as a mountain lily.
"Now the big one off the drawers. No, you need not help me to hold my
book," she said; "I can hold it for myself."
Gregory went back to his corner, and for a little time the restless turning
over of leaves was to be heard.
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