‘I am so sorry. Has it been so ever since you were ill? But you are better? You look better than when I saw you last.’
‘I am better on the whole, but I doubt whether I shall ever be as strong as I used to be. That ought to make me hesitate, even if—’ then came a pause, while he put his hand over his face, and seemed struggling with irrepressible emotion; and after all he was obliged to take two walks to the window before he could recover composure, and could ask in a voice which he tried to make calm and steady, though his face was deeply flushed—‘Amy, how is Laura?’
‘She is very well,’ answered Amabel. ‘Only you must not be taken by surprise if you see her looking thinner.’
‘And she has trusted—she has endured through all?’ said he, with inquiring earnestness.
‘O yes!’
‘And they—your father and mother—can forgive?’
‘They do—they have. But, Philip, it was one of the things I came down to say to you. I don’t think you must expect papa to begin about it himself. You know he does not like awkwardness, though he will be very glad when once it is done, and ready to meet you half way.’ He did not answer, and after a silence Amabel added, ‘Laura is out of doors. She and Charlotte take very long walks.’
‘And is she really strong and well, or is it that excited overdoing of employment that I first set her upon?’ he asked, anxiously.
‘She is perfectly well, and to be busy has been a great help to her,’ said Amabel. ‘It was a great comfort that we did not know how ill you had been at Corfu, till the worst was over. Eveleen only mentioned it when you were better. I was very anxious, for I had some fears from the note that you sent by Arnaud. I am very glad to see you safe here, for I have felt all along that we forsook you; but I could not help it.’
‘I am very glad you did not stay. The worst of all would have been that you should have run any risk.’