Lulu soothed her friend as best she could, though she failed to understand the cause of her remorse, and she succeeded in making her more cheerful.
"Lulu Tillotson is improving," Miss Pring observed, when the lawyer and his daughter had gone.
"All, no doubt Celia's society has benefited her," Sir Jasper rejoined; and Celia, overhearing this remark, hung her head, and blushed with shame, for she was beginning to understand that in many ways Lulu was her superior.
Weary, anxious days followed, during which Joy hovered on the borderland between life and death; but there came a morning when Eric hurried back to the Moat House from the Vicarage with the bright light of hope in his eyes, and the news that the invalid had regained consciousness, and had recognised her mother; and though she had not spoken, there could be no doubt but that she was better.
Dr. Forbes corroborated this opinion; but insisted that no one should see his patient except her mother and Miss Mary Pring, who had helped in the nursing all along, until he gave permission. The internal injuries had not proved as serious as had at first been feared, but the girl's right hip bone had been hurt, and gave the doctor much anxiety still.
Great was the delight at the Moat House when it was known for certain that Joy had taken a good turn. Eric went off for a ramble in the woods with Lawrence Puttenham and Wag with an easier mind than he had possessed for many a day; and Celia threw aside her depression, and allowed herself to smile once more. Sir Jasper took the news more quietly than anyone, though he was none the less rejoiced; but mingled with the sense of relief he experienced was the feeling of remorse that weighed down his spirits on account of his having accused Joy wrongfully.
He was still extremely puzzled concerning the butterfly brooch, for he could hardly bring himself to believe that he had overlooked it on the occasion when he had failed to find it. Why, he had searched for it again and again in vain; and yet he had finally found it lying directly inside the jewel case! The more he thought of the matter the more bewildered he became; but one thing was certain, he had brought a cruel charge against Joy, and he could not forgive himself for having done so, or for the harsh words which he had uttered in his anger.
Every day, much to the astonishment of his household, Sir Jasper was driven by Gay to the Vicarage to inquire for the invalid; and, on one occasion, cheered by a good report of the progress Joy was making, he stopped at Home Vale on his return journey and made a call on Miss Pring.
The members of the Crumleigh Cricket Club, unable to play in the field near the Vicarage, for fear of disturbing the sick child, now met in a field nearer the Moat House, and great was their astonishment when Sir Jasper one evening hobbled through the gateway leaning on his stick, accompanied by Celia. Certainly he did not stay very long; but the news that he had been there was spread through the village of Crumleigh that night, and discussed with much wonderment.
It was the second week in September now, and Celia and Eric were looking forward eagerly to their first interview with Joy; and at last a day came when she was well enough to see them for a few minutes.