Uncomfortable as her bed was, she knew that it was luxurious in comparison with the thinly covered floor of stones and earth upon which he slept. In time this came to haunt her unceasingly, and she pondered every conceivable plan to make him more comfortable. At first it was her firm intention to make him take the bed while she slept on the floor; but she knew that it would be useless to make the suggestion; so she was forced to abandon the idea, dear as it was to her, and happy as its adoption would have made her. Instead, she did what she could to make his pallet comfortable. Her ingenuity made so great a difference that his gratitude touched her. One day she discovered him in agonizing pain. The torture was so great that it broke down his iron fortitude and drew his face awry. She was instantly at his side, her hand on his shoulder and her face showing a wistful anxiety. “What is it, my friend?” she inquired, in the gentlest voice. With a pitiful effort at self-mastery he declared that it was only a trifling and transitory pain, and that it was rapidly passing. She knelt beside him and looked anxiously into his face. Her solicitude evidently increased his suffering, but she was determined to make the fight then and there. “Tell me what it is, my friend,” she begged. This was the second time that she had called him “my friend.” “It is only rheumatism,” he said, somewhat impatiently, and making a gentle effort to push her away. But she persisted. “That is not a trifling thing,” she said, “for your strength is greatly reduced. Where is the pain?” “Oh, I don’t know; you are only making it harder for me!” he petulantly exclaimed. A great gladness filled her heart, for she knew that he was giving way, and that her solicitude was hastening his collapse. “No,” she said, “I will make you well. Where is the pain?” His face gave the glad sign of his wavering. “Where is the pain?” she repeated. “It is my right to know and your duty to tell me.” “In my----” he said, gasping, “in my chest.” She rose and went to the bed, which she prepared for him. When he saw what her intention was he came to his feet with great effort. Before she could divine his purpose or check him, he had gone to the rear door, hastily opened it, and saying, “I will be back in a moment,” passed out and closed it after him. She stood bewildered at the neatness with which he had baffled her, and alarmed for his safety. But he had promised to return at once, and she knew that he would if he could. To her great relief he soon came back, bearing some biscuits and a few tins of provisions. As he stepped within and locked the door he dropped a tin, and before she could go to his assistance he had fallen while trying to pick it up. She drew him to his feet, and was amazed to discover how much stronger she was than he, and yet she had thought herself very weak. She seated him upon the edge of the bed and began to remove his shoes. “No, no!” he gasped; “you shall not do that.”