g," he repeated
softly; "for you are here. Oh, my sweet! what it is to see you again!"

"You are really feeling better?" she asked.

"Ever so much stronger," he assured her, "and the sight of you will
complete the cure. I ought to be well shaken for giving you such a lot
of trouble and anxiety, oughtn't I? But I'll make up for it, my
darling; I promise I will. Give me just a little time to get quite
well and strong; I shall not be a bother for long. Old Rob says he can
make a job of me. Then you shall see what care I will take of you.
You are looking thinner. It must have been a dull time for you, but
we'll make up for it all by and by."

"You mustn't think of anything except getting well again," she said.

"You will stay here?" he asked, with a note of anxiety in his voice.

"The doctor said I might stay a few minutes."

"I don't mean that--I mean, you will stay at Bessacre."

"Certainly I will stay just as long as you want me," she answered
quickly.

He leaned back on his pillows. "I was so afraid that you might not be
able to stay--that you might have some other engagement. I had an idea
that you were going to Scotland. It is sweet of you to stay with me.
I must confess that the thought of losing you was troubling me."

"I have no intention of going to Scotland, I am going to stay here."

"And I may see you every day?"

"Every day, unless the doctor forbids."

"Oh, hang old Rob," he said gaily. "You have taken the very last load
off my mind. Together we will rout him, you and I. Oh, Phil, my
darling! how soon do you think I shall be able to get out of doors? I
want to feel the fresh air of Bessmoor and ride for miles, just you and
I together, with the wind in our faces."

"You must get stronger first, for you look as if the wind on Bessmoor
would blow you away altogether."

"Yes, I don't feel quite like getting on a horse yet--or, in fact, like
doing anything at all except sitting here with you. When will you sing
to me again, Phil?"

"Any time you like," she replied. "But not to-day, because I think the
authorities might object. Wait a day or two."

He lay for a while silent, evidently feeling more feeble than he cared
to acknowledge, and Philippa watched him.

He was very pale now that the flush which had come into his face from
the excitement of seeing her had faded, but knowing as she did that he
was a man of over five-and-forty, he looked extraordinarily young.

His hair wa