He was evidently debating upon
some matter,--probably the removal of what was in the corner to the other
room. If so, he finally decided to abandon the intention. He sat down
in a chair, faced the candle, again dropped his chin upon his hand, and
kept his eyes musingly on the light. He was silent and motionless a long
time, then his lips moved, and he seemed to repeat something to himself
in whispers.
Presently he took a well-worn book from his pocket, and read aloud from
it softly what seemed to be an office of his Church. His voice grew
slightly louder as he continued, until, suddenly, there ran through the
words a deep sigh which did not come from himself. He raised his head
quickly, started to his feet, and turning round, looked at that something
in the corner. It took the form of a human figure, which raised itself
on an elbow and said: "Water--water--for the love of God!"
Father Corraine stood painfully staring at the figure for a moment, and
then the words broke from him "Not dead--not dead--wonderful!" Then he
stepped quickly to a table, took therefrom a pannikin of water, and
kneeling, held it to the lips of the gasping figure of a woman, throwing
his arm round the shoulder, and supporting the head on his breast. Again
he spoke "Alive--alive! Blessed be Heaven!"
The hands of the woman seized the hand of the priest, which held the
pannikin, and kissed it, saying faintly: "You are good to me.
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