Perhaps Graham _had_ forgotten
her for the moment, for he gave a little start as he looked
round.
"I am sure you did not," he said quite earnestly, as he laid
down his pen, "but you are so tired to-night, and unhappy too;
are you not?"
"Ah, yes," she answered, with a little sob, "I am very
unhappy!"
He put his arm round her, as she stood beside him, and took
one of her little hands in his; he was so sorry for the poor
little girl, and yet he hardly knew what to say to console
her. She gave two or three more little sobs, rubbing her eyes
with her other hand to keep back the tears; presently she
looked up into his face, and said:
"Do you really think I had better go to bed?"
"Indeed I do," replied Horace, much relieved by the practical
turn her thoughts were taking; "I am really afraid you will be
ill to-morrow if you do not, and you know I must take care of
you now."
"I thought papa was all alone in here, and I was alone too,"
said Madelon, "it was so dark and lonely in my room."
"Well," said Horace, "I am going to stay in here for a little
while, and presently I will open your door, and then it will
be almost as if you were in the same room; won't that do?"
"Yes, thank you," said Madelon, who indeed was so tired that
she could hardly speak.
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