His pose was not wholly assumed.

For his head still swam and was intolerably painful.
He sipped at the brandy which Standish held to his sagging lips.

And, glancing toward Claire, he smiled, a somewhat wavery and wan smile.
"Don't try to say anything!" she begged.

"Wait till you are feeling better." "I'm I'm all right," he assured her, albeit rather shakily, his voice seeming to come from a distance.

"I got a rap over the head.