He took it and kissed it. “Thank heaven, Ida,” he said.
“Yes,” she answered, “thank heaven;” and at that moment the Squire came in, looking very miserable and depressed, and of course nothing more was said about the matter.
CHAPTER XXXII.
GEORGE PROPHESIES AGAIN
Six weeks passed, and in that time several things happened. In the first place the miserly old banker, Edward Cossey’s father, had died, his death being accelerated by the shock of his son’s accident. On his will being opened, it was found that property and money to no less a value than 600,000 pounds passed under it to Edward absolutely, the only condition attached being that he should continue in the house of Cossey and Son and leave a certain share of his fortune in the business.
Edward Cossey also, thanks chiefly to Belle’s tender nursing, had almost recovered, with one exception—he was, and would be for life, stone deaf in the right ear. The paralysis which the doctors feared had not shown itself. One of his first questions when he became convalescent was addressed to Belle Quest.
As in a dream, he had always seen her sweet face hanging over him, and dimly known that she was ministering to him.
“Have you nursed me ever since the accident, Belle?” he said.
“Yes,” she answered.
“It is very good of you, considering all things,” he murmured. “I wonder that you did not let me die.”
But she turned her face to the wall and never said a word, nor did any further conversation on these matters pass between them.