“Oh Alexis, how good of you to take so much trouble for me. How can I ever thank you?”
“It wasn’t good of me, and you know it. I’ve been a brute all along. But if you want to please me you must take care of yourself. As soon as you are able to leave the hospital and go back to the apartment you must take one of these sisters home with you and keep her as long as necessary. But I will consult the doctor about that,” he added with a business-like air, which contrasted oddly with his usual lack of responsibility.
Claire sat up suddenly and clasped his arm.
“That won’t be necessary at all. Please don’t consult the doctor about me. I’m perfectly well, only a little tired and not quite myself since——since you went to the sanitarium. Now that you are all right, I shall pick up quickly and—and Alexis,” she continued bravely, “whenever you want the separation you can have it, of course!” She spoke in a low voice so that the nun might not hear.
He flushed painfully.
“We won’t think about that now, Claire. I want you to get well before we decide upon anything. Who knows, we may change our minds?” he added with a weak desire to please her.
She winced. When she replied her voice was still low, but almost hard.
“Please don’t try to deceive me, Alexis. I know you too well. You are sorry for me now. But you don’t love me any more than you did a week ago. I am willing to go back to your mother if you desire it. You are my husband and I must obey you. But I beg of you not to pretend—that is more than I can bear!” With a stifled sob she fell back upon the pillow.
Torn with shame and pity, Alexis started to speak, but before he could say a word, the sister rose from her seat in the window and approached the bed.
“I’m afraid you are exciting my patient,” she said pleasantly.