May tried to swallow the restorative the doctor held toward her, and its effect was soon visible. It brought back memory—infinite pain! She looked at John Temple, and he saw she was remembering his words. He bent closer to her; he whispered that nothing should ever part them; he asked her for his sake to get well; and the doctor, watching her face, slightly touched John Temple on the shoulder.
“I will give you some directions,” he said, and as John rose, he drew him to one side of the room.
“She must not be excited,” he said; “as far as I can judge, this attack has been brought on by some mental shock. Is there any tendency to heart affection?”
“I know of none,” answered John, with quivering lips.
“Is she your wife?”
“Yes.”
“Well, keep her very quiet for the next few hours, and do not talk to her of anything that would be likely to disquiet her. Are you staying here?”
“Yes,” again answered John, briefly.
“I will look in this evening then. For the present, everyone but yourself is best out of the room. But be sure you keep her quiet.”