han you do. But she'll soon be well enough to talk, and
then I shall explain everything to her. On this piece of paper is my
address; please let Eve have it. I shall call to-morrow morning again."

He did so, and this time found Eve, as well as her companion, ready to
go out. No remark or inquiry concerning her health passed his lips; he
saw that she was recovering from the crisis she had passed through,
whatever its real nature. Eve shook hands with him, and smiled, though
as if discharging an obligation.

"Can you spare time to show us something of Paris?" she asked.

"I am your official guide. Make use of me whenever it pleases you."

"I don't feel able to go very far. Isn't there some place where we
could sit down in the open air?"

A carriage was summoned, and they drove to the Fields Elysian. Eve
benefited by the morning thus spent. She left to Patty most of the
conversation, but occasionally made inquiries, and began to regard
things with a healthy interest. The next day they all visited the
Louvre, for a light rain was falling, and here Hilliard found an
opportunity of private talk with Eve; they sat together whilst Patty,
who cared little for pictures, looked out of a window at the Seine.

"Do you like the hotel I chose?" he began.

"Everything is very nice."

"And you are not sorry to be here?"

"Not in one way. In another I can't understand how I come to be here at
all."

"Your physician has ordered it."

"Yes--so I suppose it's all right."

"There's one thing I'm obliged to speak of. Do you understand French
money?"

Eve averted her face, and spoke after a slight delay.

"I can easily learn."

"Yes. You shall take this Paris guide home with you. You'll find all
information of that sort in it. And I shall give you an envelope
containing money--just for your private use. You have nothing to do
with the charges at the hotel."

"I've brought it on myself; but I feel more ashamed than I can tell
you."

"If you tried to tell me I shouldn't listen. What you have to do now is
to get well. Very soon you and Patty will be able to find your way
about together; then I shall only come with you when you choose to
invite me. You have my address."

He rose and broke off the dialogue.

For a week or more Eve's behaviour in his company underwent little
change. In health she decidedly improved, but Hilliard always found her
reserved, coldly amicable, with an occasional suggestion of forced
humility wh