"A few weeks ago, and you would have said: 'What is life even with

them?'"

"Then you really think I am better?" he smiled.

"I'm sure of it."

"As for me," he returned, "I confess it. That has happened which I

thought never would happen. I am once more interested in life. The

wish to live has come back. I am glad to be alive. Carl, your first

case has been a success."

"No thanks to me," I said. "Beyond seeing that you didn't displace the

broken pieces of your thigh-bone, what have I done? Nothing. No one

knows that better than you do."

"That's your modesty--your incurable modesty."

I shook my head, and went to stand by his couch. I was profoundly

aware then, despite all the efforts of my self-conceit to convince

myself to the contrary, that I had effected nothing whatever towards

his recovery, that it had accomplished itself without external aid.

But that did not lessen my intense pleasure in the improvement. By

this time I had a most genuine affection for Alresca. The rare

qualities of the man--his serenity, his sense of justice, his

invariable politeness and consideration, the pureness of his soul--had

captured me completely. I was his friend. Perhaps I was his best

friend in the world. The singular circumstances of our coming together

had helped much to strengthen the tie between us. I glanced down at

him, full of my affection for him, and minded to take advantage of the

rights of that affection for once in a way.

"Alresca," I said quietly.

"Well?"

"What was it?"

"What was what?"

I met his gaze.

"What was that thing that you have fought and driven off? What is the

mystery of it? You know--you must know. Tell me."

His eyelids fell.

"Better to leave the past alone," said he. "Granting that I had formed

an idea, I could not put it into proper words. I have tried to do so.

In the expectation of death I wrote down certain matters. But these I

shall now destroy. I am wiser, less morbid. I can perceive that there

are fields of thought of which it is advisable to keep closed the

gates. Do as I do, Carl--forget. Take the credit for my recovery, and

be content with that."

I felt that he was right, and resumed my position near the window,

humming a tune.

"In a week you may put your foot to the ground; you will then no

longer have to be carried about like a parcel." I spoke in a casual

tone.

"Good!" he ejaculated.

"And then our engagement will come to an end, and you will begin to

sing again."

"Ah!" he said contemplatively, after a pause, "sing!"

It seemed as if singing was a different matter.




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