It is good to stand again. You need not be alarmed, I have old Rob's
permission, and am guilty of no rashness."

"You really feel stronger?" asked Philippa eagerly. "It is splendid to
see you walk, but you must be careful."

"Oh, I will be careful enough," he replied lightly. "And you, my
sweet? Have you had a nice day? I was sorry to see the rain. Come
and sit down and tell me all about it; but first--your violets." He
walked to the table as he spoke and handed her the flowers which lay
there. "A late gift to-day; but that was not my fault, was it?" he
asked fondly. "You look all the better for your rest. You have the
old pretty colour in your cheeks and your eyes are shining like stars.
You must get out more. It is not right that because I am a prisoner
you should share my sentence; but I am selfish, I cannot spare you for
long."

"I spent the day on Bessmoor," she told him. "It was lovely up there.
The clouds were beautiful--dark masses like mountains, and patches of
brilliant blue sky behind them. The ling is coming into bloom, and you
cannot imagine anything so vivid as it appears where the sunlight
catches it, and all the world seemed so fresh and clean after the rain."

"I can picture it. The fragrance and freshness of the moor. You did
not get wet, I hope?"

"No, I was under shelter. It was a heavy shower, but it didn't last
long."

"Were you alone?" he asked. He was sitting close beside her on the
sofa, with his arm thrown along the back of it behind her head.

"No--I was with a friend," she replied.

"Who was it?" he asked lightly. "Shall I be jealous that a friend was
with you when I wasn't?"

"I was with Isabella Vernon." As soon as the words were spoken a
sudden fear seized her, but it was too late to recall them.

"Dear old Isabella!" he said. "How was she? It seems ages since I
have seen her." But he did not wait for an answer to his question, but
continued, "You would be safe with her. Isabella was always a good
friend. Do you know, I have a piece of news for you? Rob said to-day
that unless I had another set-back I might go down-stairs in a day or
two."

"That is good news indeed," said Philippa warmly. "And soon you will
be able to go out and see all the beauty of Bessmoor for yourself. We
will have the pony-carriage and I will drive you--as soon as ever he
thinks you are fit for it."

"I suppose he wouldn't let me get on a horse?" he said, rather
wistfully.