It was not so far off, but that Stephen, following her hands with his eyes, could read what was printed on it in large letters. He turned of a deadly hue, and a sudden horror seemed to fall upon him.

“I will stay here, Stephen,” said Rachael, quietly resuming her seat, “till the bells go three. ’Tis to be done again at three, and then she may be left till morning.”

“But thy rest agen tomorrow’s work, my dear.”

“I slept sound last night. I can wake many nights, when I am put to it. ’Tis thou who art in need of rest⁠—so white and tired. Try to sleep in the chair there, while I watch. Thou hadst no sleep last night, I can well believe. Tomorrow’s work is far harder for thee than for me.”

He heard the thundering and surging out of doors, and it seemed to him as if his late angry mood were going about trying to get at him. She had cast it out; she would keep it out; he trusted to her to defend him from himself.