"You are so very good," said Amy, as she went out to open the cottage door for Robert, as he went away.
"Good! Miss Neville. How? In what way?"
"In being content with our dull life here."
"It is anything but dull to me. My life lately has been a simply existing one—the slow passing of each day, or counting the hours for the night to arrive, and bring a short respite from the monotony of a dreary life. Being here is—is heaven to me! in comparison to my late existence at Somerton Park."
There was no mistaking the impassioned tone in which this was said. Amy hastened to change the subject.
"I am sure your visit has given Mamma pleasure."
"Mrs. Neville seems a great invalid, I do not wonder at your anxiety for her while absent." As a stranger he had remarked the exhaustion and weariness, although to Amy her mother had seemed so much better.
"Do you think she looks so very ill?" she asked, anxiously.
"I think there is great weakness," he replied, evading a direct answer. "Have you a clever medical attendant here?"
"Yes, I think so. Dr. Sellon, is at least, very kind and attentive, no one could be more so; he says Mamma merely wants rousing, and we must not allow this apathy and weariness to increase, but strive to divert her mind, even as it was this evening, and all through your kindness."