He seemed to be well informed, for he inquired at the door about a certain Marcello Botti, who was in a private room; and when he gave his name he was admitted without even asking permission of the Superintendent, and was at once led upstairs.
"Are you a friend of his, sir?" asked Regina, when he had looked a long time at the patient, who did not recognise him in the least.
"Are you?" Kalmon looked at her quietly across the bed.
"You see," she answered. "If I were not, why should I be here?"
"She has saved my life," said Marcello suddenly, and he caught her hand in his and held it fast. "As soon as I am quite well we shall be married."
"Certainly, my dear boy, certainly," replied Kalmon, as if it were quite a matter of course. "You must make haste and get well as soon as possible."
He glanced at Regina's face, and as her eyes met his she shook her head almost imperceptibly, and smiled. Kalmon was not quite sure what she meant. He made a sign to her to go with him to the window, which was at some distance from the bed.
"It may be long before he is well," he whispered. "There must be an operation."
She nodded, for she knew that.
"And do you expect to marry him when he is recovered?"