"Five years at the outside."
I looked at him critically.
"Yes, I should have given the same—a year ago."
He coloured a little, and his gaze fell; he shifted himself in his chair. Then he looked up suddenly, with a strong glow in his eyes.
"And now?"
"Now I give you—immortality." I spoke quite calmly, with no intention of any dramatic effect.
The colour faded from his cheeks, and the glow in his eyes increased.
"If I get the Blue Disease, do you swear that it will cure me?"
"Of course it will cure you."
He got to his feet. He seemed to be in the grip of some powerful emotion, and I could see that he was determined to control himself. He walked down the room and stood for some time near the window.