"One tear fell from her eyes upon your hands as she bent over you, and it told me a story that I have since sometimes thought you should know."
"A tear!" mused General Bezan, to himself, rising and walking up and down his room in haste; "that must have come from the heart. Smiles are evanescent; kind words, even, cost nothing; but tears, they are honest, and come unbidden by aught save the heart itself. Tears, did you say?" he continued, pausing before the surgeon.
"As I have said, general."
"And she bathed my forehead, you say?"
"She did, and further, left with me a purse to be devoted to supplying your wants."
"This you never told me of before."
"I have had no opportunity, and to speak honestly, it was very well timed and needed."
"Money!" mused Lorenzo Bezan. "Money, that is full of dross; but a tear,—I would to Heaven I had earlier known of that."
"I hope I have caused you no uneasiness, general."
"Enough. Go on your mission to General Harero; save him, if you can; you have already saved me! Nay, do not stare, but go, and see me again at your leisure."