He told her briefly of what had happened.  “I am so happy,” she murmured.  “Oh, Jimmy, I am so happy!”

He took one of her wasted hands in his own and carried it to his lips.  “Not on the hand,” she said faintly.  “Just once, on the lips, before I die.”

He gathered her in his arms and lifted her face to his.  “Dear little girl,” he said, “you are not going to die.  It is not as bad as that.”

She did not reply, but only clung to him tightly, and against his cheek he felt her tears and a little choking sob before she relaxed, and he laid her back again on her pillow.  He thought she was dead then and he called the nurse, but she still breathed, though her eyes were closed.  Jimmy sat down on the edge of the bed beside her and stroked her hand.  After a while she roused again and opened her eyes.

“Jimmy,” she said, “will you stay with me until I go?” The man could make no articulate response, but he pressed her hand reassuringly.  She was silent again for some time.  Once more she whispered faintly, so faintly that he had to lean close to catch her words: 

“Miss Holden,” she whispered, “she is a—­good girl.  It is—­she—­who hired—­the attorney for you.  Go to her—­Jimmy—­when I—­am gone—­she loves—­you.”  Again there was a long pause.

“Good-by—­Jimmy,” she whispered at last.

The nurse was standing at the foot of the bed.  She came and put her hand on Jimmy’s shoulder.  “It is too bad,” she said; “she was such a good girl.”

“Yes,” said Jimmy, “I think she was the best little girl I ever knew.”

It was after nine o’clock when Jimmy, depressed and sorrowing, arrived at the Holden home.  The houseman who admitted him told him that Mr. Holden had been called out, but that Miss Holden was expecting him, and he ushered Jimmy to the big living-room, and to his consternation he saw that Elizabeth Compton was there with Harriet.  The latter came forward to greet him, and to his surprise the other girl followed her.

“I discovered to-day, Mr. Torrance,” she said, “that I have wronged you.  However unintentionally it was the fact remains that I might have done you a very great harm and injustice.  I realize now how very different things might have been if I had listened to you and believed in you at first.  Harriet told me that you were coming tonight and I asked to see you for just a moment to tell you this and also to ask you if you would continue with the International Machine Company.

“There is no one now whom I feel I would have so much confidence in as you.  I wish you would come back and take charge for me.  If you will tell me that you will consider it we will arrange the details later.”

If an archangel had suddenly condescended to honor him with an invitation to assist in the management of Heaven Jimmy could not have been more surprised.  He realized at what cost of pride and self-esteem the offer must have been made and acknowledgment of error.  He told her that he would be very glad to assist her for the present, at least, and then she excused herself on the plea of nervous exhaustion and went to her room.