"
"Do you think," I answered, "that they will not be able to stand the
test? You gave them--shall I say it?--a crippled mind before; you give
them a crippled body now. Well, where do you think the odds lie? I should
fancy with you as you are."
There was a long silence in which neither of us moved. At last he turned
his face towards the window, and, not looking at me, said lingeringly:
"This is a pleasant place."
I knew that he would remain.
I had not seen Mrs. Falchion during Roscoe's illness; but every day
Justine came and inquired, or a messenger was sent. And when, this
fortunate day, Justine herself came, and I told her that the crisis was
past, she seemed infinitely relieved and happy. Then she said:
"Madame has been ill these three days also; but now I think she will be
better; and we shall go soon."
"Ask her," said I, "not to go yet for a few days. Press it as a favour to
me." Then, on second thought, I sat down and wrote Mrs. Falchion a note,
hinting that there were grave reasons why she should stay a little
longer: things connected with her own happiness. Truth is, I had received
a note that morning which had excited me.
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