Each time when her image, her name, the merest thought of her, came before my mind, each event stood out stark as a living fact.

My life upon her faith! I was recalled from my reverie, which was fast becoming a dream of love, in a startling manner.

A voice came from the bed; a deep, strong, masterful voice.

The first note of it called up like a clarion my eyes and my ears.

The sick man was awake and speaking! "Who are you?
What are you doing here ?" Whatever ideas any of us had ever formed of his waking, I am quite sure that none of us expected to see him start up all awake and full master of himself.