The patient slept on; the family retired to rest and utter stillness reigned through all the house; outside there was the incessant drip, drip of the rain, but not a solitary footstep passed; it seemed as though they two were alone in the world save for that motionless form on the bed.
There came another terrific peal of thunder, yet the sleeper did not stir, but Nell instinctively drew nearer her companion, while he with the impulse to protect her, threw an arm about her waist and drew her close to his side. Neither intended it, but the next instant their lips met and they knew they were betrothed.
Blushing deeply, though her eyes shone and her heart thrilled with an exquisite joy, Nell would have withdrawn herself from his embrace, but he gently detained her; she was his and he could not let her go yet; and again she yielded to his stronger will.
She wondered at her own submissiveness as she realized to-night that it was a positive pleasure to be ruled.
The hours flew by on viewless wings; it was no hard task to keep that vigil, yet the physician was not forgotten in the lover.
Toward morning the patient awoke and recognized her watchers with a pleased smile. The crisis was safely passed. Nell knew it instantly by the glad look in the doctor's face.
He held a cup to Flora's lips, saying in a low quiet tone, "Swallow this, my child, and go to sleep again."
She obeyed. He drew a long sigh of relief. He had been bending over her in intense anxiety for the last half hour.
"Saved! The Lord be praised!" he whispered, turning to Nell with shining eyes. Then, taking her hand, "My darling, my own, is it not so?"
She astonished herself and him by bursting into a passion of tears.