He did not sit down, but, tired as he was, went straight to The Boar's Head. He met no one in the archway, and walked up to Ericson's room. When he opened the door, he found the large screen on the other side, and hearing a painful cough, lingered behind it, for he could not control his feelings sufficiently. Then he heard a voice—Ericson's voice; but oh, how changed!—He had no idea that he ought not to listen.
'Mary,' the voice said, 'do not look like that. I am not suffering. It is only my body. Your arm round me makes me so strong! Let me lay my head on your shoulder.'
A brief pause followed.
'But, Eric,' said Mary's voice, 'there is one that loves you better than I do.'
'If there is,' returned Ericson, feebly, 'he has sent his angel to deliver me.'
'But you do believe in him, Eric?'
The voice expressed anxiety no less than love.
'I am going to see. There is no other way. When I find him, I shall believe in him. I shall love him with all my heart, I know. I love the thought of him now.'
'But that's not himself, my—darling!' she said.
'No. But I cannot love himself till I find him. Perhaps there is no Jesus.'