"No, papa."
But I knew that all had come right, although I saw from Adela's manner
that she was not happy about it.
So things went on for a week, during which the colonel was slowly mending.
I used to read him to sleep. Adela would sit by the fire, or by the
bedside, and go and come while I was reading.
One afternoon, in the twilight, Harry entered. We greeted; and then,
turning to the bed, I discovered that my friend was asleep. We drew
towards the fire, and sat down. Adela had gone out of the room a few
minutes before.
"He is such a manageable patient!" I said.
"Noble old fellow!" returned the doctor. "I wish he would like me, and
then all would be well."
"He doesn't dislike you personally," I said.
"I hope not. I can understand his displeasure perfectly, and repugnance
too. But I assure you, Mr. Smith, I did not lay myself out to gain her
affections. I was caught myself before I knew. And I believe she liked me
too before she knew."
"I fear their means will be very limited after this."
"For his sake I am very sorry to hear it; but for my own, I cannot help
thinking it the luckiest thing that could have happened.
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