Indeed, to listen to him, it would seem that, whether from the salubrity of the air, the peaceful quietude of the spot, the watchful kindness and attention of the surrounders, or a certain general air--an actual atmosphere of benevolence and contentment around--there was no pleasure of life could equal the delight of being laid up at Kilgobbin. ‘I have a message for you from my old friend Miss O’Shea,’ said he to Kate the first moment he had the opportunity of speaking with her alone. ‘It is not necessary to tell you that I neither know, nor desire to know, its import. Her words were these: “Tell my godchild to forgive me if she still has any memory for some very rude words I once spoke. Tell her that I have been sorely punished for them since, and that till I know I have her pardon, I have no courage to cross her doors.” This was my message, and I was to bring back your answer.’ ‘Tell her,’ cried Kate warmly, ‘I have no place in my memory but for the kindnesses she has bestowed on me, and that I ask no better boon from Fortune than to be allowed to love her, and to be worthy of her love.’ ‘I will repeat every word you have told me; and I am proud to be bearer of such a speech. May I presume, upon the casual confidence I have thus acquired, to add one word for myself; and it is as the doctor I would speak.’ ‘Speak freely. What is it?’ ‘It is this, then: you young ladies keep your watches in turn in the sick-room. The patient is unfit for much excitement, and as I dare not take the liberty of imposing a line of conduct on Mademoiselle Kostalergi, I have resolved to run the hazard with _you_! Let _hers_ be the task of entertaining him; let _her_ be the reader--and he loves being read to--and the talker, and the narrator of whatever goes on. To you be the part of quiet watchfulness and care, to bathe the heated brow, or the burning hand, to hold the cold cup to the parched lips, to adjust the pillow, to temper the light, and renew the air of the sick-room, but to speak seldom, if at all. Do you understand me?’ ‘Perfectly; and you are wise and acute in your distribution of labour: each of us has her fitting station.’ ‘I dared not have said this much to _her_: my doctor’s instinct told me I might be frank with _you_.’ ‘You are safe in speaking to me,’ said she calmly. ‘Perhaps I ought to say that I give these suggestions without any concert with my patient. I have not only abstained from consulting, but--’ ‘Forgive my interrupting you, Sir X. It was quite unnecessary to tell me this.’ ‘You are not displeased with me, dear lady?’ said he, in his softest of accents. ‘No; but do not say anything which might make me so.’ The doctor bowed reverentially, crossed his white hands on his waistcoat, and looked like a saint ready for martyrdom. Kate frankly held out her hand in token of perfect cordiality, and her honest smile suited the action well.