Dr. Mishell came the next day, and finding his patient delirious again, announced that he would stay with him till danger was past. So the physician and nurse again watched together. It was the day Esther was to have left for Massachusetts. When questioned as to the time of her departure, she now assured everyone she would stay till her sick people were well. While Dr. Mishell sat by Kenneth, Mr. Clayton found Esther on the veranda, in tears. He pretended not to see. "Does Dr. Mishell give any hope of Mr. Hastings' recovery?" she asked. "Yes. There has been a decided change for the better this past hour." He slipped his hand under her arm, and, together, they walked up and down the path to the road. "My dear friend," he said to her, "Kenneth _may_ die, but I know a powerful restorative, that might help to save his life, if we could only bring it to him." He knew her heart better than Kenneth did. "Oh, let _me_ take it to him," she said eagerly. "I'd be so thankful to have a chance to help save his life. He's done so much for me, and he is such a loyal--friend." "You shall be the one to bring him the medicine if you will," he said smiling. "What is it? Where can I get it?" she asked, eager to go on her errand of mercy. "Where can you get it?" he repeated. "You can find it in your own heart. It is love that will save Kenneth, dear Miss Bright." Her tears fell fast. "I fear I have made him very unhappy," she said. "I suspect you have," he responded. "Did he tell you so?" "No. You know he has been delirious from the first. In his delirium, he has talked of you constantly." At last danger was past, and nurse and physician assured the Clayton household that Kenneth Hastings would recover. He awakened from sleep, alone. As he opened his eyes, they fell upon a copy of Tennyson's works. It was open at "The Princess." Someone had been reading, and marking passages. He at once turned to the title page, and at the top, read a name he half expected to see. Could it be possible that she was still there? He looked around the room. By his bedside, stood a small round table, on which stood a low glass dish, filled with pink cactus blossoms. Near by, was an open Bible. Here, too, was a marked passage,--"faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love," He knew the Bible was Esther's. He laid it down, as though he had trespassed upon her innermost heart. He closed his eyes, and lay in a half-dream of possible joy. Over and over, the words seemed to repeat themselves,--"the greatest of these is love." There was a quiet step, and Esther entered, looking fresh and cool in a white dimity gown. In her hands, was a bunch of cactus flowers. She laid them down, and with a joyous cry went to him, clasping his hand in hers. "You know me at last?" she asked. "I am so glad!"