She rose and walked about the room, knowing that the dull eyes were following her as she moved. When she sat down again she took a small New Testament from her pocket, and as she opened it he turned his face away, and did not move again till a step was heard at the door. Then as some one entered, he cried out with a stronger voice than had been heard from him yet:
“Is that you, Dickson? Send yon woman away—if she be a woman and not a wraith (spirit),” he added, as he turned his face from the light.
It was not Dickson. It was the doctor who met Allison’s startled look as he came in at the door.
“You have had enough for this time. Has he spoken to you?” said he.
“He has spoken, but not to me. I think he knew me, and—not with good-will.”
“You could hardly expect that, considering all things. He has made a step in advance, for all that. And now go away and do not show your face in this place again to-day. Wrap yourself up well, and go for a long walk. Go out of the town, or down to the sands. Yes, you must do as I bid you. Never heed the auld wives and the bairns to-day. I ken they keep your thoughts on their troubles and away from your own. But you may have a good while of this work yet,—weeks it may be, or
months,” and in his heart he said, “God grant it may not be for years.”
“Yes, I will go,” said Allison faintly.
“And you must take good care of yourself. Mistress Allison, you have set out on a road in which there is no turning back now, if you would help to save this man’s soul.”