"Don't think of it for the present, Jack. Wait till you are stronger. I must go soon, or the doctor will say I'm keeping you from getting well."
"Nonsense, your presence will do me more good than all his drugs put together. Forgive me one question."
"A hundred. What is this one?"
"Maud," I asked, almost afraid, "you are not married?"
She shook her head a little sadly, I thought. Oh, if I could only find the pluck to put another! I would try, at any rate.
"Maud, have you only come here in pity, or do you—do you——"
She must have divined what I meant, perhaps she read it in my eyes, for a great blush spread over her face, as she bent towards me and whispered—
"How cruel of you, Jack, to make me say it! I am here because I love you,—because I love you!"
My emotion was so great that I could not speak. My eyes overflowed with tears; I could feel them coursing down my cheeks. The doctor and nurse had taken the chaperon to the other end of the ward, and as I had a screen round my bed, we were quite alone. At last I found my voice.
"Maud," I faltered, "I am not worthy of you, my dear, I am not worthy. You do not know what my life has been."