I laughed to a degree that alarmed Nurse, at the idea of our dashing thorough-bred colonel prefacing his speech with "arrah, thin."
"I'll lave ye intirely if ye be shakin' yerself that way, when ye havn't the stringth in ye to laugh out."
"Oh Nurse, dear Nurse, do not go, tell me something more."
"I havn't a ha'poth more to tell ye, an its time for me to be going. The blessin' of Christ be wid ye, ye'r lookin' ten stone bether, Glory be to God."
The next day in consequence of Nurse's report, Miss Vernon came with her grandfather. I almost expected her, yet her advent made me feel strangely nervous; it seemed strange to me too, being unable to rise, that she should come over, and place her hand in mine, when I could not stir to receive her; she sat down near me and began talking in a gentle subdued tone, as if half afraid of disturbing me.
"You look much better than I expected, Captain Egerton; what a wonderful recovery! But why would you not let me come here before?"
"I was afraid my ghastly looks would frighten you."
"You look all eyes now."
In a whisper, "I am."