"Ah!" said Anthony.
"'There he lies, ill,' she said. 'There he lies in his bed with never a one to carry a word to him of what's being done.' With that," said Christopher, "I spoke of the doctor's directions, and how you must be kept from care. But she would not hear to it. 'News like this,' she says, 'will do good; certain worries have leagued to trouble his mind; and this will put an end to them. He'll get ease by it.'"
"She is kind," said Anthony. "Please carry her my thanks. She is very kind."
"Did I not say you'd hold her in a deal of esteem when you came to know her better?" said Christopher, gratified. "She has a fine spirit and is well instructed; and things like those make excellent women. The matter that rose up between you had no real place in either of your minds; I always felt that. And, now that you see each other in a proper light, I'm much pleased."
The news brought by Christopher Dent so heartened Anthony that in less than a week he was out of his bed; and in a day or two more he was taking slow-paced walks in the street, trying his strength and steadiness. On one of these he stopped at Dr. King's; and in the hall he met Mademoiselle Lafargue, just on the point of leaving. She held out her hand to him and smiled; and, as he took the hand and held it closely, she said:
"It is so good to see you out once more. From what I'd been told, I had not expected it so soon."
"God knows how long I'd have been upon my back, grieving for strength," said Anthony. "But your good offices saved me a deal of it."
"Your thanks should go to Mr. Sparhawk more than to me," said the girl. "Without his shrewd wit and ready realization, I'm afraid little would have been done."
They talked for a space; their voices were level, their manners still; but there was a something about each of them which glowed like an aura; the edges of these sought to meet and lap but the dregs of a bitter wind still blew between them, and it was not yet to be. Then Dr. King appeared and took Anthony away into his study.
"There is a space yet to bridge before his health is fully recovered," said Mrs. King to mademoiselle. "He is not yet strong."