"If he's been good to you, don't you wish him to get well?"
"Of course I do. I've been waiting upon him hand and foot."
"And not even a maid to help you—although she did ring last night for Hamza, when we were here."
She looked down, and picked at the dim embroideries that covered the divan.
"I've nursed him till I've nearly made myself ill," she said, mechanically.
"I'm going to relieve you of that task."
She turned her face up towards him.
"No, you aren't!" she said. "I'm Nigel's wife, and that is my natural duty."
"Nevertheless, I'm going to relieve you of it."
The rock-like firmness of his tone evidently made upon her an immense impression.