"And you must not talk so much, Jekyl," said Dives, as he placed the glass at his lips; "you'll wear yourself out."
"Yes, I _am_ tired," said the Baronet; "I'll rest till Strangways comes."
And he closed his eyes, and was quiet for a time. And Dives, leaning back in his chair at the bedside, felt better assured of Jekyl's recovery, and his thoughts began to return to their wonted channel, and he entertained himself with listlessly reading and half understanding a tedious sculling match in a very old copy of "Bell's Life," which happened to lie near him.
A tap at the outer door called up Dives from Sandy Dick's sweep round a corner, and Jekyl said--
"Tell him to come in--and stay--you're not to say I'm hurt--do you mind?"
"My dear Jekyl, I--I shan't say anything. There he's knocking again."
"Come in!" echoed Dives, in a louder key.
And Monsieur Varbarriere entered with that mysterious countenance and cautious shuffle with which men enter a sick-chamber.
"Very sorry to hear you've been suffering," began Varbarriere, in a low tone.
"Thanks--you're very good, I'm sure," said Sir Jekyl, with a faint smile. "I--I wished very much to see you. I expect to be better very soon, and I thought I might have a word, as you are so good, in the meantime."
"Very happy, indeed--most happy, as long as you please; but you must not try too much. You know they say you may disturb gout if you try too much, particularly at first," said Varbarriere, knowing very well how little gout really had to do with it.
"Oh! no danger--doing very nicely," said Sir Jekyl.
"That's well--that's very good," said Varbarriere, with a leisurely sympathy, looking on him all the time, and calling to mind how the Comte de Vigny looked after he received the sword-thrust of which he died in Varbarriere's house, to which he had been carried after his duel with young D'Harnois. And he came to the conclusion that Sir Jekyl looked a great deal better than the Comte had done--and, in fact, that he would do very well.
"Sit down, Herbert, I shan't keep you long. _There_, I've just been saying to Dives I think it's a pity we should quarrel any more--that is, if we can help it; and I don't see why we should not be friendly--I mean more friendly than, in fact, we have ever been--I don't; do you?"