'Rested, Dane?' said the doctor, standing before his late patient.
'That does not sound like a complicated question,' said Dane; 'but it means a good deal. I am ready.'
'What he wants,' said Dr. Arthur, turning gravely to Wych Hazel, 'is a change. If your grace could persuade him to go off for a while, in the right company, he would come back a new man.'
'I shall have a change this week,' said Dane rising. 'Come along, old fellow, or I shall prescribe for you.I shall be here as early as I can, Hazel; before dinner.'
CHAPTER XXI.
THE LOSS OF POWER.
Wych Hazel ordered an early lunch for herself, and a fire in the red room, and fresh flowers for its adornment; and with these last she was busyhumming over them the spell of an old German choralwhen Rollo came in. The air was dainty with fragrance and sweet sounds. He smiled at it, and at Hazel; but after the first greeting was grave again.
'I have got news for you to-day,' he said.
'Have you?' said Hazel, intent on placing a Safrano rose. Then the tone caught her attention and she looked up hastily.
'Not more sickness?'