“Why should I be afraid, Antonio? You are ill, I see that. What’s wrong? What can I do to help you?”
“Nothing. There is nothing. I played my game and I lost. I––I saw you last night at the window.”
“And I saw you; I knew you; but I did not know why you were fixed like that and had painted your poor horse all white.”
“Ha! You saw that? You, when nobody––older––well, I lost.”
“Are you hurt? What can have happened to you since then?”
“Shot. On the way here, fearing nothing, a passing horseman, unknown, braver or quicker than the rest, thought he could rid the country of its ghost. Ah, yes! it was merry––for a time. It is past.”
Jessica was crying softly, unable to endure the sight of agony, even his who had tried to injure her and hers. The sick man perceived this and something of the affection he had once felt for his master’s child, before he had betrayed that master’s trust, stirred him to speak and thrilled him with compunction. He felt himself to be doomed; he had already sent Ferd away again to summon a priest; and according to his faith he meant to make his peace with the world; but these preparations had been on his own account only. Now he began to feel something for her also.
Suddenly she ceased crying and stood up to bend over him and beg that she might be allowed to help him. 193 “A drink of water––some coffee? You were always so fond of coffee, Antonio, and I know where Pedro kept all his things. So many, many times we drank it here together, he and I. And you––how came you here, Antonio?”
“Where better or nearer could I be? Pedro, the most obliging, yes. Just when I needed his house he left it. Si. Why, but I am better still, is it not, I?”
Indeed his color had improved and his voice grown stronger since Jessica’s arrival; and he was able to take the cup of coffee which she made him. This was more palatable than anything Ferd had prepared and stimulated him still further. For a few moments after he had taken it he felt so improved that he almost gave up the doing of that for which he had summoned her. But a sudden return of pain again alarmed him, and as soon as that spasm was past, he motioned her to the bedside.