"I asked him to come as a witness."
"Very well; he'll be a witness to what you promise for my wife and child, as well as of what I tell you. So be it. What do you promise for them?"
"What do you wish me to promise exactly?"
"That you pay her three pounds a week for life, and that, should she die before the child, you will continue the payment to him for his life."
"Yes, I promise that, contingent——"
"Certainly, you mean contingent on your receiving the money? That is understood. Now, ask one of the doctors to come here?"
One of the doctors was called up.
"Doctor," said Silwood, "will you go and ask my wife, Mrs. James Russell, who is lying in the tent somewhere, to give you the key she has on the ribbon round her neck? Say that I sent you; give her my love, and tell her I am comfortable."
There were tears in Silwood's eyes as he spoke the last words. Seeing them, Gilbert marvelled at the strange intricacies of the human soul, but held his peace.
"Your wife sends her love to you," said the doctor, on his return, "and bids you not fret about her. Here is the key."