"Lame!" she repeated, in an alarmed voice, "is there any fear of that?"
"Not much," I answered, "but we must be careful, mam'zelle. You must promise me not to set your foot on the ground, or in any way rest your weight upon it, till I give you leave."
"That means that you will have to come to see me again," she said; "is it not very difficult to come over from Guernsey?"
"Not at all," I answered, "it is quite a treat to me."
Her face grew very grave, as if she was thinking of some unpleasant topic. She looked at me earnestly and questioningly.
"May I speak to you with great plainness, Dr. Martin?" she asked.
"Speak precisely what is in your mind at this moment," I replied.
"You are very, very good to me," she said, holding out her hand to me, "but I do not want you to come more often than is quite necessary, because I am very poor. If I were rich," she went on hurriedly, "I should like you to come every day—it is so pleasant—but I can never pay you sufficiently for that long week you were here. So please do not visit me oftener than is quite necessary."
My face felt hot, but I scarcely knew what to say. I bungled out an answer:
"I would not take any money from you, and I shall come to see you as often as I can."