"Very; but it is a relief to see him breathe in that way," replied
the surgeon.

"Stay, did he not murmur something, then?" asked the maid.

"Possibly," replied the surgeon. "He has talked constantly during
his delirium. Pray, my good girl, does he know your mistress very
well?"

"I think not," was the reply. "But why do you ask that?"

"Because he seems constantly to dream and talk about her night and
day. Indeed she is all he has spoken of since the height of his
fever was upon him."

"Indeed!" said the girl, musing at the surgeon's words abstractedly.

"Have you not heard your mistress speak of him at all?"

"Yes, that is, he once did the family some important service. Do you
say that he talked of Senorita Isabella in the hours of his
delirium?"

"Yes, and in looking into his dressing-case, a few days since, to
find some lint for his wounds, I discovered this," said tire
surgeon, showing the girl a miniature, painted on ivory with great
skill and beauty. "I think it must be a likeness of the Senorita
Isabella," continued the surgeon, "though I have never seen her to
know her but once."