"I feel a giant, honest friend," replied the young man. "Help me up, will you?"
"The leech said you ought to keep quiet for a bit, Captain," protested the smith.
"Oho! he did, did he?" laughed Jack, gaily. "Well! go tell him, friend, from me, that he is an ass."
"Where is she, John?" he asked quietly, after a slight pause.
"In the next room, Captain."
"Resting?"
"Aye! she never left your side since you fainted on the Heath."
"I know—I know, friend," said Jack, with a short, deep sigh; "think you I could not feel her hand..."
He checked himself abruptly, and with the help of John Stich raised himself from the bed. He looked ruefully at his stained clothes, and a quaint, pleasant smile chased away the last look of weariness and suffering from his face.
"Nay! what a plight for Beau Brocade in which to meet the lady of his dreams, eh, John? Here, help me to make myself presentable! Run down quickly to mine host, borrow brushes and combs, and anything you can lay hands on. I am not fit to appear before her eyes."