Edward Cossey also, thanks chiefly to Belle's tender nursing, had
almost recovered, with one exception--he was, and would be for life,
stone deaf in the right ear. The paralysis which the doctors feared
had not shown itself. One of his first questions when he became
convalescent was addressed to Belle Quest.
As in a dream, he had always seen her sweet face hanging over him, and
dimly known that she was ministering to him.
"Have you nursed me ever since the accident, Belle?" he said.
"Yes," she answered.
"It is very good of you, considering all things," he murmured. "I
wonder that you did not let me die."
But she turned her face to the wall and never said a word, nor did any
further conversation on these matters pass between them.
Then as his strength came back so did his passion for Ida de la Molle
revive. He was not allowed to write or even receive letters, and with
this explanation of her silence he was fain to content himself. But
the Squire, he was told, often called to inquire after him, and once
or twice Ida came with him.
At length a time came--it was two days after he had been told of his
father's death--when he was pronounced fit to be moved into his own
rooms and to receive his correspondence as usual.
The move was effected without any difficulty, and here Belle bade him
good-bye.
Pages:
334
335
336
337
338
339
340
341
342
343
344
345
346
347
348
349
350
351
352
353
354
355
356
357
358