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ures, but there was no charm here to make you forget that the eye was darkly glittering, and the lip formidable in its subtlety and power. He advanced with much of the easy nonchalance that had so characterized the other.
“Miss Sterling, I believe,” said he; and with no further word, turned and led me down the hall to the sick-room. I noticed even then that he paused and listened before he pushed open the door, and that with our first step inside he cast a look of inquiry at the bed that had something beside a son’s loving anxiety in it. And I hated the man as I would [Ссылки могут видеть только зарегистрированные пользователи. Зарегистрироваться...] a serpent, though he bowed as he set me a chair, and was careful to move a light he thought shone a little too directly in my eyes.
The other brother was not present, and I could give my undivided attention to my charge. I found her what report had proclaimed her to be, a handsome woman of the sternly imposing type. Even with her age against her and the shadow of death lying on her brow and cheek, there was something strangely attractive in the features and the stately contour of her form. But it was attraction that was confined to the eye, and could by no means allure the heart, for the same seal of mysterious reserve was upon her that characterized her sons, and in her, as in the younger [Ссылки могут видеть только зарегистрированные пользователи. Зарегистрироваться...] one of these, it inspired a distrust which I could imagine no smile as dissipating. She lay in a state of coma, and her heavy breathing was the only sound that broke the silence of the great room. “God help me!” thought I; but had no wish to leave. Instead of that, I felt a fearful pleasure in the prospect before me — such effect had a single look had upon me from eyes I trembled to meet again or read.
I do not know how long I sat there gazing in the [Ссылки могут видеть только зарегистрированные пользователи. Зарегистрироваться...] one direction for that faint sign of life for which the doctor had bid me watch. That he who inspired me with dread was behind me, I knew; but I would not turn my head towards him. I was determined to resist the power of this man, even if I must succumb a trifle to that of the other.
I [Ссылки могут видеть только зарегистрированные пользователи. Зарегистрироваться...] was, therefore, [Ссылки могут видеть только зарегистрированные пользователи. Зарегистрироваться...] surprised when a hand was thrust over my shoulder, and a fan dropped into my lap.
“It is warm here,” was the comment which accompanied the action.
I thanked him, but felt that his sole object had been to cover his change of position. [Ссылки могут видеть только зарегистрированные пользователи. Зарегистрироваться...] For, when he sat down again, it was where he could see my face. I therefore felt justified in plying the fan he had offered me, in such a way as to shut off his somewhat basilisk gaze. And so a dreary hour went by.
It was now well on towards morning, and I was beginning to suffer from the languor natural after so many harrowing excitements, when the door opened behind me, and the electric thrill shooting through all my members, testified as to whose step it was that entered. At the same moment the young man at my side arose, and with what I felt to be a last sharp look in my direction, hastened to where his brother stood, and entered into a whispered conversation with him. Then I heard the door close again, and almost at the same instant [Ссылки могут видеть только зарегистрированные пользователи. Зарегистрироваться...] Mr. Pollard the elder