She blamed herself
now for having felt for a moment hurt at Bathurst's. desertion of
her. To have remained in the boat would have been certain death,
while he could have been of no assistance to her or anyone else. That
he should escape, then, if he could, now seemed to her a perfectly
natural action; she hoped that some of the others had done the
same, and that Bathurst was not working alone.
It did not occur to her that there could be any possibility of
the scheme for her rescue succeeding; as to that she felt no more
hopeful than before, but it seemed to take away the sense of utter
loneliness that she before felt that someone should be interesting
himself in her fate. Perhaps there would be more than a mere verbal
message next time; how long would it be before she heard again?
How long a respite had she before that wretch came to see her?
Doubtless he had heard that she was ill. She would remain so. She
would starve herself. Her weakness seemed to her her best protection.
As she lay apparently helpless upon the couch she watched the women
move about the room. The girl who had spoken to her was not among
them. The women were not unkind; they brought her cooling drinks,
and tried to tempt her to eat something; but she shook her head as
if utterly unable to do so, and after a time feigned to be asleep.
Darkness came on gradually; some lamps were lighted in the room.
Not for a moment had she been left alone since she was brought in
--never less than two females remaining with her.
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