"God called the nearest angels
Who dwell with Him above.
The tenderest one was Pity,
The dearest one was Love."
--WHITTIER.
As Philippa entered Francis' room on the evening of the same day, she stopped on the threshold with a little cry of surprise. He was standing in front of the hearth waiting for her.
"Oh," she said, as she moved quickly forward, "take care."
He gave a low laugh of content. "I thought I should surprise you, my dearest; but I have been an invalid too long."
He put his arm through hers and leaned a little on it, more for the pleasure of her nearness than for support.
"It is good to stand again. You need not be alarmed, I have old Rob's permission, and am guilty of no rashness."
"You really feel stronger?" asked Philippa eagerly. "It is splendid to see you walk, but you must be careful."
"Oh, I will be careful enough," he replied lightly. "And you, my sweet? Have you had a nice day? I was sorry to see the rain. Come and sit down and tell me all about it; but first--your violets." He walked to the table as he spoke and handed her the flowers which lay there. "A late gift to-day; but that was not my fault, was it?" he asked fondly. "You look all the better for your rest. You have the old pretty colour in your cheeks and your eyes are shining like stars. You must get out more. It is not right that because I am a prisoner you should share my sentence; but I am selfish, I cannot spare you for long."
"I spent the day on Bessmoor," she told him. "It was lovely up there. The clouds were beautiful--dark masses like mountains, and patches of brilliant blue sky behind them. The ling is coming into bloom, and you cannot imagine anything so vivid as it appears where the sunlight catches it, and all the world seemed so fresh and clean after the rain."
"I can picture it. The fragrance and freshness of the moor. You did not get wet, I hope?"
"No, I was under shelter. It was a heavy shower, but it didn't last long."
"Were you alone?" he asked. He was sitting close beside her on the sofa, with his arm thrown along the back of it behind her head.
"No--I was with a friend," she replied.