"Nothing; or, at least nothing much."
"Against me?"
"Certainly not, dear one."
"You are ill?"
"No, not ill, but I must take precautions which prevent me from embracing you. I will explain; do not be uneasy, it is not serious."
"Quick!" she cried, examining him, and trying to anticipate his thought.
"You have something to tell me?"
"Yes, good news. But I beg of you, speak first; do not leave me in suspense."
"I assure you that you need not be uneasy; and when I speak thus, you know that you should believe me. You see that I am not uneasy."
"It is for others that you are alarmed, never for yourself."