In the morning she found another wonder awaiting her; for it was not the nurse who came to her bedside, but Muriel, grave and gentle and motherly, and somehow the sight of her seemed to unveil much that till then had been a mystery to Olga. She greeted her very lovingly. "You can't imagine what it feels like to see you again," she whispered, with her arms round Muriel's neck. "But I do hope you and Dad haven't hurried back from Switzerland because of me." Muriel smiled at her with great tenderness. "My darling, don't you know how precious you are?" "Then you did!" said Olga. "I feel a horrid pig. How is Reggie?" "He is splendid," said Reggie's mother, in the deep voice that always indicated depth of feeling also. "Much too gay and giddy to come and see you yet. Even Jim is satisfied with him. I couldn't ask for more than that, could I?" She brought her a cup of milk and sat by the bed while she drank it. There was never any perturbing element in Muriel's presence. She carried ever with her the gracious quietness of a mind at rest. Olga drank her milk with a most unwonted feeling of serenity. "Reggie certainly mustn't come near me yet," she said. "It would be awful if he caught it." "There is nothing to catch, dear," said Muriel, as she took back the cup. "Not scarlet fever?" said Olga in surprise. "You haven't had scarlet fever," Muriel told her gently. "It was brain fever, following upon sunstroke. That is why we have to keep you so quiet." "Oh!" said Olga. "Nick never told me that!" "I don't suppose Dr. Jim would let him. But I told him I should." Muriel's hand, cool and reassuring, held hers. "There is no object in keeping it from you," she said. "You are getting well again, and you always had plenty of sense, dear. I know you will be sensible now." "I'll certainly try," said Olga. She lay quiet then for some time, apparently engrossed in thought though not distressed thereby. She turned her head at last and asked a sudden question. "Will Nick go to India without me, Muriel?" "No, dear. He is going to wait till you can go too," Muriel answered. "Oh, Muriel!" She carried the quiet hand impulsively to her lips. Muriel smiled. "Are you so anxious to go?" "I should just think I am! But I know I'm horridly selfish. How can you bear to let him go?" "My dear," Muriel said, "I don't think I could bear to keep him when I know he wants to go. You will have to take care of him for me." "Oh, I will!" said Olga earnestly. Very little more passed between them on the subject then, but it filled Olga's mind throughout the day, even to the exclusion of that sinister shadow that still lurked at the back of her consciousness. Nick did not visit her until the evening, and then she at once began to talk of the topic that so occupied her thoughts. "Do you know, I had actually forgotten about going to Sharapura, Nick?" she said. "I'm so glad I've remembered. It's something to be quick and get well for."