But having received his assurance that all was well with the man she loved, Philippa was far too happy to be in sympathy with his mood.
"What is the matter?" she asked again, lightly. "You seem most depressed." What she wanted to say was, "For goodness' sake do stop pulling at your beard or you'll have it out by the roots."
"If I am depressed, you are certainly remarkably cheerful," he retorted sarcastically, coming to a halt in front of her and regarding her angrily from under his bushy eyebrows.
"I am exceedingly cheerful; and can you wonder at it after the news you have just given me?"
"You are either the most wonderful actress, young lady, or----" He stopped and changed his sentence. "Perhaps you see some way out?"
"Way out? What do you mean?"
"Good God!" he almost shouted at her, "can't you understand? How are you going to tell him?"
"I am not going to tell him."
"You are not going to tell him? But he is going to live. He isn't going to die. And what are you going to do when he speaks--of marriage? He hinted at it just now."
"He has spoken of marriage," said Philippa calmly. She had grown attached to the doctor and had lost all fear of his rough speech.
"Then you'll have to tell him."
"Oh no. I have promised to marry him as soon as ever he is strong enough."
"What?" The word came like a pistol-shot.
"I have promised to marry Francis as soon as ever he is strong enough," she repeated composedly.
The doctor dropped into a chair. "No, no," he said huskily. "My dear, it won't do. You have been splendid. I did not think any woman could do what you have done; but--no one could expect this of you--it is too great a sacrifice. Sooner than that I will tell him the whole story. Eh! you're a brave woman, but it has got to stop here."
"On the contrary, it is only just beginning. And it is out of your hands now. I cannot let you interfere. Nor can I really let you take any of the responsibility. I made my own choice, and I am going to abide by it, I am going to marry him."
The doctor dropped his face into his hands. "You don't know what you are talking about. It is impossible. How can you marry a man you--don't--care for."