I tried to ask other questions, but a drowsy feeling overcame me and I fell asleep.
When I awoke again Rayel was sitting beside me. As I opened my eyes he leaned over and kissed my hands.
“They thought you were dead once,” he said; “but I knew you were not dead—I knew you were not dead.” I lay for a moment trying to collect my thoughts. My head was in tight bandages and something was binding my chest.
“Where is Hester?” I asked. Rayel did not answer. He was not there, but somebody was holding one of my hands. It was a lady kneeling beside me, her face leaning forward upon the bed. Who could it be? I closed my eyes and listened to the rustling of withered leaves outside the window, and the low humming of insects in the autumn sun. These were prophetic sounds, and they opened the gates of thought and memory. A new life was coming now. What was it to be? Again I felt myself drifting into sleep. I tried to keep my eyes open and resist the drowsiness that overcame me, but in vain. When I awoke Rayel had returned.
“You have slept a long time,” said he.
“When I fell asleep a lady was here.”
“Yes, it was our 'Woman,'” he replied—“the lady you love. She has come every day to see you.”
“Where is she now?”
“She had to go away, but she will soon come back again.”
“Who brought me here?”