. She has come
every day to see you."

"Where is she now?"

"She had to go away, but she will soon come back again."

"Who brought me here?"

"I broke down the door--I found you there. You could not see me nor
speak to me, but I knew you were not dead. The men were gone. I carried
you out into the street. A policeman met me, and I told him what had
happened. Then the ambulance came and we put you into it, and you were
brought here. For a long time you lay like my father after he was dead.
Your face was white--like snow. They had stabbed you in the side--they
would have killed you if I had not broken the door."

"Who struck me?" I asked.

"I knew," he said, his eyes flashing, "I knew the devil was in their
heads--that is why I wished to go with you. They followed us that
night."

"Who?" I asked, eagerly.

"The Count de Montalle and another man."

My cousin's answer amazed me.

"Have you made known your suspicions?" I asked.

"No. I have been waiting to talk with you first."

"Do not speak of it yet to any one," I said. "Let us await
developments."

I foresaw that Rayel would only get a reputation for insanity if pressed
to the point of explaining his suspicions. It seemed quite likely, also,
that any futile discussion of the subject would defeat justice.

That day brought me a letter from Hester, whom I had been looking for
with much impatience since I had begun to feel more like myself. She
would shortly have fulfilled all her professional engagements, and
would then return at once to New York. "I wonder," she added, somewhat
coquettishly, "if you will be glad to see me." On this point there was
no doubt in my mind, and although my strength increased rapidly, the
days passed with tedious slowness after that.

I was sitting by the window one morning, looking out upon the moving
throng in the opposite street, when the door of my room was suddenly
opened. I supposed that one of the physicians had come to see me, and I
waited for him to speak.

"Kendric!"

It was Rayel who spoke my name, but somehow his voice did not seem quite
natural, and I turned to greet him.

"This is our 'Woman,'" said he, advancing toward me with Hester upon his
arm.

I rose feebly to my feet, confused by the sudden announcement, and took
her extended hand. We looked into each other's eyes for a moment without
speaking. My own were rapidly filling with tears, and I could see her
but dimly.

"What a fine outlook you have!"