“Then tell us, Nellie,” said her mother.
“Why, he has fallen in love with Enola and the events of the past few hours have crazed him. We do not wonder at ourselves for being buried in grief at Enola’s sufferings, and it is but natural that Onrai should feel the same.”
“Don’t say that,” said Mrs. Graham. “It would grieve Harry deeply if he suspected such a thing to be true.”
“I doubt not that but Harry has seen the trend of things, for I have watched him closely lately and he seems to be worried,” said Mr. Graham, “but he would never admit it.”
Enola had fallen into the stupor during this short conversation and this was probably better so, for any violent movement would loosen the bandages and open the wounds afresh, and this must be avoided. As she lay partially on her side, a full view of her bandaged face could be had; nothing but the eyes could be seen however, the remainder of the face being entirely covered. She looked like one dead and with scarcely a breath stirring the gauze over her nostrils, and with the white silk robe falling about her, one could easily believe that she had succumbed to the excruciating sufferings. Just at this moment Mr. Bruce stepped to the arch and motioned Onrai to enter.
“Be very quiet,” said Mr. Bruce, as the King came forward hurriedly. Harry also came up quickly, and together they entered the apartment where the dearest one on earth to them, lay at death’s door.
Both stepped up to the couch, and as Onrai’s eyes fell on the white bandages and saw only the discolored eyelids, he fell back exclaiming in an agonized voice, “Dead;” then, almost beside himself with grief, he rushed forward and falling beside the couch would have clasped her in his arms had not Harry, who was also suffering untold agony, caught him by the arm and held him back. Mr. Bruce also stepped up and said calmly;
“Onrai, what would you do. Do you not realize that such an act on your part would endanger her life? Calm yourself and do not ruin the small chance which this poor girl has for recovery.”
Onrai arose and stepped back slowly, his whole frame convulsed with strong emotion. Drawing his hand over his eyes he said slowly.
“She is not dead then, thank God. Forgive me, I should not have acted thus for her sake and my own.” Then looking about him and seeing several native women attendants in the apartment, his glance fell on the floor, for the first time in his life ashamed of his own actions.