'Now tell me what the doctor said. Did he say I would soon recover? Did he
say that I was very bad? Tell me all.'

'He said that you ought to have a change--that you should go south
somewhere.'

'And you agree with him that I ought to go away?'

'Is he not the best judge?--the doctor's orders!'

'Then you, too, have learnt to hate me. You, too, want to send me away?'

'My dear Emily, I only want to do as you like. You asked me what the doctor
said, and I told you.'

Hubert got up and walked aside. He passed his hand across his eyes. He
could hardly contain himself; the emotion that discussion with this sick
girl caused him went to his head. She looked at him curiously, watching his
movement, and he failed to understand what pleasure it could give her to
have him by her side, knowing, as she clearly did, that his heart was
elsewhere. Turning suddenly, he said--

'But tell me, Emily, how are you feeling? You are, after all, the best
judge.'

'I feel rather weak. I should get strong enough if----'

She paused, as if waiting for Hubert to ask her to finish the sentence. But
he hurriedly turned the conversation.