Gregory started up and looked at her with a face all aglow with honest, grateful feeling, and said, "God knows the latter is the truth." "And I know it too. I knew it then." "But the world could never be made to see it in that light." "Now pride speaks. Self-respect does not depend upon the opinion of the world. The world has nothing to do with the matter. You certainly do not expect I am going to misrepresent you before it." He bent a look upon her such as she had never sustained before. It was the look of a man who had discovered something divine and precious beyond words. It was a feeling such as might thrill one who was struggling in darkness, and, as he supposed, sinking in the deep sea, but whose feet touched something which seemed to sustain him. The thought, "I can trust her--she is true," came to him at that time with such a blessed power to inspire hope and give relief that for a moment he could not speak. Then he began, "Miss Walton, I cannot find words--" "Do not find them," she interrupted, laughingly. "See, your temples are beginning to throb again, and I am a sorry nurse, a true disciple of Mrs. Gamp, to let you excite yourself. Lie down, sir, at once, and let your thoughts dwell the next half-hour on your breakfast. You have much reason for regret that the dainty little tidbits that I first prepared are spoiled by this time. I doubt whether I can do so well again." "I do not wish any breakfast. Please do not leave me yet." "It makes no difference what you wish. The idea of an orthodox physician consulting the wishes of his patient! My practical skill sees your need of breakfast." "Have you had any yourself?" he asked, again starting up, and looking searchingly at her. "Well, I have had a cup of coffee," she replied, coloring a little. "What a brute I am!" he groaned. "In that charge upon yourself you strongly assert the possession of an animal nature, and therefore of course the need of a breakfast." "May I be choked by the first mouthful if I touch anything before I know you have had your own." "What an awful abjuration! How can you swear so before a lady, Mr. Gregory?" "No, it is a solemn vow." "Then I must take my breakfast with you, for with your disposition to doubt I don't see how you can 'know' anything about it otherwise." "That is better than I hoped. I will eat anything you bring on those conditions, if it does choke me--and I know it will." "A fine compliment to my cooking," she retorted and laughingly left the room.