"And will ever be, so far as human endeavour can aid me. You will be glad to hear, too, that the townspeople sympathise with us in our trouble."
"I am very glad: it was proved by the kindness that was shown to me when I was taken out of the fire. Who that lives to know you does not learn to honour you?"
She held his hand in a tender clasp, and kissed it repeatedly.
"I will tell you something. I am beginning already to acquire a new sense. When you look at me I feel it. You are looking at me now. When your eyes are not on my face I know it. I shall learn a good deal very soon, very soon! I do not intend to be a burden to you."
This was said with tender gaiety.
"You can never be that." He touched her eyes. "Henceforth I am your eyes. It is a poor return; for you, Rachel, are my very life."
"Dear husband! Dear love! Kiss me. I want to fall asleep with those words in my ears. You will not stop up long?"
"I will go down and put out the lights and see that all is safe. Then I will come up at once. Sleep, my life, sleep!"
He passed his fingers caressingly across her forehead, and she fell asleep with a smile on her lips.
He stole softly from the room, and went down and made the house safe; then he returned to the bedroom.