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Walpole, Hugh, Sir, 1884-1941

"The Captives"

There
had been no sentimentality or weakness in her dream. They had been
confident and sure and defiant together, and it had been real life
for her, so real that this dream life in which now she moved down
the shadowy passage was about her as green water is about one when
one swims under waves.
It was only slowly, as the cold air of the house at night cleared
her eyes and her throat and her breast, that she came to the world
consciousness again and surrendered her lover back to the shades and
felt a sudden frightened fear lest, after all, she should never
really know that ecstasy of which she had just been dreaming.
Nevertheless it was still with a great consciousness of Martin that
she entered her aunt's bedroom. Before she entered she turned round
for a moment to Martha.
"What must I do?" she asked. "What will she want me to do?"
"It's only," said Martha, "if the pains come on very bad, to give
her some drops. They're in a little green bottle by her bed. Five
drops . . . yes, miss, five drops in a little green bottle. Only if
the pains is very bad. She's brave--wonderful. I'd 'ave sat up till
morning willing, and so of course would Miss Elizabeth.


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