Hearts get uppermost in illness, and people then behave as they would not in health.

More is in it than is easily found.

There is such a dumb prayer in the spirit to be _taken_! Till he opened his eyes Lady Joan had been unable to satisfy herself whether the pale, worn, yet grand-looking youth could indeed be the lad Cosmo, and was not at all prepared for such precipitate familiarity: the moment she was released, she drew back with some feeling, if not of offence, yet of annoyance.

But such a smile flooded Cosmo's face, mingled with such a pleading look of apology and excuse, which seemed to say, "How _could_ I help it ?" that she was ashamed of herself.

It was the same true face as the boy's, with its old look of devotion and gentle worship! To make all right she stooped of her own accord, and kissed his forehead.
"Thank you," murmured Cosmo, his own voice sounding to him like that of another.