280
SYLVIE AND BRUNO.
first intimation I
had, of being likely
to make that offer,
was the sound of
my own voice, and
the discovery that
the offer had been
made. The servant
paused, doubtfully
glancing from her
charge to me, and
then back again to
the child. "Would
you like it, dear ?"
she asked her. But
no such doubt appeared
to cross the child’s mind : she lifted
her arms eagerly to be taken up. "Please!" was all she said, while a faint smile flickered on the weary little face. I took her up with scrupulous care, and her little arm was at once clasped trustfully round my neck.
She was a very light weight——so light, in fact, that the ridiculous idea crossed my mind that it was rather easier going up, with
