"You got into this mess," he said, forgetting how and for whom she got
into it, "and now you must get out of it in your own way."
When Edward, having been assisted into the room, saw Ida standing
there, all the blood in his wasted body seemed to rush into his pallid
face.
"How do you do, Mr. Cossey?" she said. "I am glad to see you out, and
hope that you are better."
"I beg your pardon, I cannot hear you," he said, turning round; "I am
stone deaf in my right ear."
A pang of pity shot through her heart. Edward Cossey, feeble,
dejected, and limping from the jaws of Death, was a very different
being to Edward Cossey in the full glow of his youth, health, and
strength. Indeed, so much did his condition appeal to her sympathies
that for the first time since her mental attitude towards him had been
one of entire indifference, she looked on him without repugnance.
Meanwhile her father had shaken him by the hand, and led him to an
armchair before the fire.
Then after a few questions and answers as to his accident and merciful
recovery there came a pause.
At length he broke it. "I have come to see you both," he said with a
faint nervous smile, "about the letters you wrote me. If my condition
had allowed I should have come before, but it would not.
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