“Where is Hester?” I asked. Rayel did not answer. He was not there, but somebody was holding one of my hands. It was a lady kneeling beside me, her face leaning forward upon the bed. Who could it be? I closed my eyes and listened to the rustling of withered leaves outside the window, and the low humming of insects in the autumn sun. These were prophetic sounds, and they opened the gates of thought and memory. A new life was coming now. What was it to be? Again I felt myself drifting into sleep. I tried to keep my eyes open and resist the drowsiness that overcame me, but in vain. When I awoke Rayel had returned. “You have slept a long time,” said he. “When I fell asleep a lady was here.” “Yes, it was our 'Woman,'” he replied--“the lady you love. She has come every day to see you.” “Where is she now?” “She had to go away, but she will soon come back again.” “Who brought me here?” “I broke down the door--I found you there. You could not see me nor speak to me, but I knew you were not dead. The men were gone. I carried you out into the street. A policeman met me, and I told him what had happened. Then the ambulance came and we put you into it, and you were brought here. For a long time you lay like my father after he was dead. Your face was white--like snow. They had stabbed you in the side--they would have killed you if I had not broken the door.” “Who struck me?” I asked. “I knew,” he said, his eyes flashing, “I knew the devil was in their heads--that is why I wished to go with you. They followed us that night.” “Who?” I asked, eagerly. “The Count de Montalle and another man.” My cousin's answer amazed me. “Have you made known your suspicions?” I asked. “No. I have been waiting to talk with you first.” “Do not speak of it yet to any one,” I said. “Let us await developments.” I foresaw that Rayel would only get a reputation for insanity if pressed to the point of explaining his suspicions. It seemed quite likely, also, that any futile discussion of the subject would defeat justice. That day brought me a letter from Hester, whom I had been looking for with much impatience since I had begun to feel more like myself. She would shortly have fulfilled all her professional engagements, and would then return at once to New York. “I wonder,” she added, somewhat coquettishly, “if you will be glad to see me.” On this point there was no doubt in my mind, and although my strength increased rapidly, the days passed with tedious slowness after that. I was sitting by the window one morning, looking out upon the moving throng in the opposite street, when the door of my room was suddenly opened. I supposed that one of the physicians had come to see me, and I waited for him to speak. “Kendric!” It was Rayel who spoke my name, but somehow his voice did not seem quite natural, and I turned to greet him. “This is our 'Woman,'” said he, advancing toward me with Hester upon his arm.