Now he was undoubtedly amending, and getting better hour after hour, though still so weak that he was unconscious of who it was who tended him night and day. Nothing seemed to trouble him. Nature had prescribed utter rest so that she might have time to rebuild the waste, and the Doctor's chief efforts were directed towards keeping him free from the slightest trouble which might ripple the placid lake of his existence. "There now," he said, "let him sleep all he can. That is the best." He walked over to the mine, arriving there soon after the engineer had gone, and avoiding Jessop, went straight into the room occupied by Sturgess, who lay waiting for him eagerly. "Better, arn't I, Doctor?" "Yes; getting stronger fast. The festering wound looks healthy now." "What festering wound?" said the man, with a stare. "The one in your shoulder, which you said was caused by a fall." Sturgess scowled. "Lucky for you I was fetched to you in time, and then dressed the wound in your leg. Your flesh was in a bad way, my man. You should never neglect the bite of a dog." "Fear he should go mad?" said Sturgess grimly. "No fear o' that one going mad now." "Shot him, I suppose." "Yes," said Sturgess, smiling. "I shot him, Doctor. When may I get about again?" "Oh, not for a week or two yet--perhaps three. You mustn't hurry." "Can't you get me up in a week, sir?" said the man anxiously. "I have got a good deal to do." "Not in the mine. That's at an end." "Yes, I heard that. But no, it arn't that. It's business I want to settle about some one I know." "Ah, well, we shall see," said the Doctor. "Be patient." He walked back to the cottage, and not seeing either the Major or his child, hung up his hat, and went to Clive's chamber, where he stopped short at the door, startled by the scene within. For Dinah was in the act of advancing to the bed just as Clive lay half dozing. The sharp crack of a floor board roused him into wakefulness, and he opened his eyes wonderingly, so that they fell upon Dinah's sweet, sad face. The result was startling to the Doctor, and filled Dinah with agonising despair. For as the light of recognition came into the suffering man's countenance, his features contracted, his brow wrinkled and twitched, and he turned his eyes away with a look of disgust and horror, while Dinah uttered a low moan, covered her face with her hands, and fled from the room, her whole attitude and every movement suggesting utter despair. CHAPTER THIRTY NINE. AFTER A LAPSE. "Why, my dear child, it is one of the commonest of things. I've known plenty of cases of this kind, and I daresay your father has." Dinah looked at the Doctor wistfully, with her face growing old and careworn; but she said nothing, only turned to her father, as he took and held her hand.