"Miss Merlin, I would have run any risk to save anyone at need; but I might not have borne the after consequences in all cases with equal patience—equal pleasure. Ah, Miss Merlin, forgive me, if I am now happy in my pain! forgive me this presumption, for it is the only question at issue between us," said the youth, with a pleading glance.
"Oh, Ishmael, let us not talk any more about me! Talk of yourself. Tell me how you are, and where you feel pain."
"Nowhere much, Miss Merlin."
"Papa told me that two of your limbs were broken and your chest injured, and now I see all that for myself."
"My injuries are doing very well. My broken bones are knitting together again as fast as they possibly can, my physician says."
"But that is a very painful process I fear," said Claudia compassionately.
"Indeed, no; I do not find it so."
"Ah! your face shows what you endure. It is your chest, then, that hurts you?"
"My chest is healing very rapidly. Do not distress your kind heart, Miss Merlin; indeed, I am doing very well."
"You are very patient, and therefore you will do well, if you are not doing so now. Ishmael, now that I am permitted to visit you, I shall come every day. But they have limited me to fifteen minutes' stay this morning, and my time is up. Good-morning, Ishmael."