I half opened my eyes and looked about me with difficulty, trying to collect my thoughts. I saw Madame Dupont by my side. "Have I been delirious long?" I asked. "Nine days, monsieur; oh! you've been very sick; you almost died! But, thank heaven! you're saved; all you need now is patience and plenty of rest. I was sure you'd be sick. The idea of going out in such a storm! and all in a sweat, too! And when you came back, why, your eyes were starting out of your head! But young men will never listen to advice! And then, think of going to sleep with a nosegay under your nose! that's very bad--very unhealthy!" "What has been done with that bouquet?" "It's in the other room there; never fear, you'll find it all right." "Who has nursed me since I have been sick?" "I have, and--your neighbor." "My neighbor!" "Yes, the lady on your landing. Oh! she has taken the best possible care of you. As soon as she heard you was sick, she insisted on being your nurse, and, my word! if she'd been nursing sick folks all her life, she couldn't have done better." "Where is she? I would like to thank her." "Oh! you can thank her later. She's just gone to her room. But here you are talking, and the doctor told us we mustn't let you talk! Go to sleep, monsieur, go to sleep; it'll do you good." Madame Dupont closed my curtains and refused to answer any more questions. I was at a loss to understand the unknown lady's conduct; but I was not strong enough to reflect long; I fell asleep wishing that I might see her. Toward evening I woke. Someone was beside me. When I moved, the person attempted to hurry away; but it was too late; my eyes had met hers, I had recognized her: it was Nicette. I cried out, and she returned to me. "Oh! in heaven's name, speak to me!" I said; "so that I may be sure that it is you!" "Yes, yes, it's I, it's your Nicette. Oh! Monsieur Dorsan, pray don't talk any more; the doctor has strictly forbidden it. That's the reason I didn't want you to see me." "Dear Nicette! as if the sight of you was not more powerful than all their medicines! It is you! it is really you!" I took her hands and pressed them and held them to my heart; I no longer had strength to speak. She tried to calm me, but she was as deeply moved as I was; the tears rolled down her cheeks and dropped on me; but how sweet they were to us both! "So it was you, Nicette, who nursed me during my illness?" "Wasn't it my duty? Could I have trusted others to do it?" "Then you were my neighbor?" "Yes, monsieur." "Cruel girl! you concealed yourself from me!" "I thought that the sight of me would not give you any pleasure." "You did not think that!" "You are married." "But you see that I have ceased to live with my wife." "I didn't dare show myself to you, for fear that would make you leave your lodgings." "What an idea! O Nicette!" "But I couldn't resist the longing to remind you of me; and that is why you found the bouquet."