voices as in a dream, when lo! there sounded a voice that I knew right
well, for Elliot was asking of the people "who was hurt?" At this
hearing I hove myself up on my elbow, beckoning with my other hand; and I
opened my mouth to speak, but, in place of words, came only a wave of
blood that sickened me, and I seemed to be dreaming, in my bed, of Elliot
and her jackanapes; and then feet were trampling, and at length I was
laid down, and so seemed to fall most blessedly asleep, with a little
hand in mine, and rarely peaceful and happy in my heart, though wherefore
I knew not. After many days of tossing on the waves of the world, it was
as if I had been brought into the haven where I would be. Of what was
passing I knew or I remember nothing. Later I heard that a good priest
had been brought to my bedside, and perchance there was made some such
confession as the Church, in her mercy, accepts from sinful men in such
case as mine. But I had no thought of life or death, purgatory or
paradise; only, if paradise be rest among those we love, such rest for an
unknown while, and such sense of blissful companionship, were mine. But
whether it was well to pass through and beyond this scarce sensible joy,
or whether that peace will ever again be mine and unending, I leave with
humility to them in whose hands are Christian souls.




CHAPTER IX--OF THE WINNING OF ELLIOT


The days of fever and of dreams went by and passed, leaving me very weak,
but not ignorant of where I was, and of what had come and gone. My
master had often been by my bedside, and Elliot now and again; the old
housewife also watched me by night, and gave me drink when I thirsted.