"Armine, do you believe thoroughly in my friendship for you?"
"Yes."
"You believe, you know, it's a friendship that is quite disinterested?"
"I'm sure it is."
"And yet you have treated me all this time with almost as much reserve as if I had been a mere acquaintance."
Nigel looked uncomfortable.
"I didn't mean—I am deeply grateful to you," he said; "deeply grateful. You have saved my life."
"I have, indeed," Isaacson said, solemnly. "If I had not followed you up the river, you would certainly have died."
"Are you—you said you would tell me what was the matter with me."
"I'm going to."