How quiet the land was, how beautiful the evening light, how sweet
the air!

Now and then a petal from some finished blossom sifted down on
Gabriella.

They were at such peace: their talk was interrupted by the long
silences which are peace.

"Gabriella, you saved my life."

"It is not I who have power over life and death."

"It was your nursing."

"It was my prayers," murmured Gabriella.

"And you gave me the will to get well: that also was a great help:
without you I should not have had that same will to live."

"It was a higher Will than yours or mine."

"And the doctor from town who stayed with me."

"And a Greater Physician who stayed also."

He made no reply for a while, but then asked, turning his face
toward her uneasily:--