When next I opened my eyes to the light of reason and of day, I lay in a large, old-fashioned room which I had never seen before. The bed was soft and easy, and a delicious languor seemed to possess me. I felt no pain, but I was as helpless as a baby. Perfect stillness prevailed, and, like a tired child, I dropped off into a deep sleep. How long I lay thus I know not, but presently, when I woke to consciousness again, the air seemed to be soft and balmy, and much of the weariness seemed to have left me. I moved my limbs, and again looked around the room.
"Where am I, I wonder?" I said to myself.
Just then the door opened and I saw old Betsy Fraddam enter.
Without knowing why, I closed my eyes, while the old dame felt my hands and my forehead.
"He's better," she chuckled; "ould Betsy is better than the doctors. 'Ee'll git better now. Jasper Pennington ed'n a-goin' to die so aisy for oal the Tezidders."
She moved my pillow and made my bed comfortable, then she left the room again.
When she had gone I recalled the incidents which I have recorded--the meeting in the copse, the walk through the woods, then the scene in Pennington library, which ended in silence and darkness. What did it all mean? My mind was not very clear, but presently I was able to explain everything. But where was I? Why was everything so quiet? And why had Betsy Fraddam come to me?
I listened, and heard the cawing of rooks, the neighing of horses, and the lowing of cattle. If I only possessed sufficient strength I would make my way to the window, but I was not able to do this.
Then I heard a voice which set every nerve in my body a-quivering. It was the voice of my Naomi outside the door.
She entered all alone. She looked pale and thin; this I saw dimly, for my eyes were partly closed. She looked at me long and tenderly, as though she wanted, by looking, to see if I were better. Then she sat down by my bedside.
"Oh, Jasper!" she cried; "do you know me? Are you so much better? Oh, my love, my love!"
Somehow, I know not how it was, but strength came back to me then, so I lifted my arms, and my little maid nestled her head on me and sobbed her joy.
"You are sure you will get better, Jasper?"
Presently we fell to talking, for I wanted to know what had taken place, and she told me little by little, as I could take it in.