Not before the following afternoon did consciousness return to the injured man, and then Jean’s real work commenced.
His eyes, when they first opened, met her calm, anxious gaze.
He looked at her in astonishment, and then glanced at the other faces of the doctors around.
Sir Evered spoke as he bent over him.
“You know me—eh? Come, you’re a lot better now, my dear fellow. Just drink this,” and he took a glass from Jean’s hand.
The prostrate man swallowed the liquid with an effort. Then, staring about him with an air of astonishment, he said:
“Why—it’s you, Evered. You!”
“Yes; I’m here looking after you, and with good nursing you’ll soon be quite right again.”
His lordship drew a long breath, and for a few moments remained silent. Then he asked, in a low, weak whisper:
“What’s happened?”