How that could be I
don't in the least understand; but I know that when the doctor
was sent for, he looked very serious, and talked about fearing
brain-fever."
Here the servant stopped; for, to his astonishment, he saw Nanina
suddenly turn away from him, and then heard her crying bitterly
as she went back into the house.
Marta Angrisani had huddled on her clothes and was looking at
herself in the glass to see that she was sufficiently presentable
to appear at the palace, when she felt two arms flung round her
neck; and, before she could say a word, found Nanina sobbing on
her bosom.
"He is ill--he is in danger!" cried the girl. "I must go with you
to help him. You have always been kind to me, Marta--be kinder
than ever now. Take me with you--take me with you to the palace!"
"You, child!" exclaimed the nurse, gently unclasping her arms.
"Yes--yes! if it is only for an hour," pleaded Nanina; "if it is
only for one little hour every day. You have only to say that I
am your helper, and they would let me in. Marta! I shall break my
heart if I can't see him, and help him to get well again."
The nurse still hesitated. Nanina clasped her round the neck once
more, and laid her cheek--burning hot now, though the tears had
been streaming down it but an instant before--close to the good
woman's face.
"I love him, Marta; great as he is, I love him with all my heart
and soul and strength," she went on, in quick, eager, whispering
tones; "and he loves me.
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