It cannot
really harm him."

And so with little outward token of the inward trembling which seized
her when she saw his face, Allison stood beside her husband. Yes, her
husband! For the first time, scarcely knowing what she did, she said to
herself, "My husband."

The doctors had something to do for him, and something to say to one
another, and she stood looking on in silence, pale, but calm and firm,
at least as far as they could see. They spoke to him and he answered
sensibly enough, and muttered, and complained, and begged to be let
alone, as sick folk will, and told them at last that little good had all
their physic done him yet.

They let in the light, and his eye followed Allison and rested on her
face for a moment; then he sighed and turned away. No one moved, and in
a little he turned his head again, and his colour changed. Then they
let down the curtain, and the room was in shadow.

"A dream--the old dream, ay coming--coming--only a dream," they heard
him say with a sigh.

Doctor Fleming beckoned to Allison, and she followed him from the room.

"He will sleep now for a while, and when he wakens he will be more
himself. You are not afraid to be left with him? He may know you when
he wakens again."

"I am not afraid," said Allison, speaking faintly, and then she added
with a firmer voice, "No, I am not afraid."

"You have but to open the door and call, and his man Dickson will be
with you in a minute. Do not speak to him unless he speaks to you.
Even if he should speak, it may be better to call Dickson, and come
away."

Doctor Fleming spoke gravely and briefly, letting no look or tone of
sympathy escape from him. "I'll see you again before I leave the
place," said he.

So she sat down a little withdrawn from the bed and waited, wondering
how this strange and doubtful experiment was to end. He neither spoke
nor moved, but seemed to slumber quietly enough till Doctor Fleming
returned. He did not come in, but beckoned Allison to the door.

"That is long enough for to-day. Are you going to your poor folk again?
If it should suit you better to go home, you can do so. Old Flora has
returned, and I will speak to her."

"I will go out for a little, but I will come back. They will expect me.
Yes, I would like better to come back again."

And so she went out for a while, and when she returned she brought an
odd volume of the History of Scotland to restless Charlie, and a late
rose or two tie