The paper appeared to regard the accident as safely over, and the patient as returning to health.
For Mrs.Cricklander, well-skilled in the manipulating of reporters in her own country, knew exactly what impression she wished to give to the press.

And she had no intention of the idea getting abroad that her injured visitor was in a very exhausted condition, because there were those she knew who would suggest that she had bagged him while he was at her mercy--when, later on, they heard the news of her engagement, which she felt was each day growing more certain of becoming a fact.

And in Halcyone's brave heart not a doubt ever entered--she waited and believed and endured, in silent pain.
After Arabella's unfortunate announcement, for two or three days John Derringham was too ill to know or care what occurred, and then other and further tormenting thoughts began to trouble his weary brain.
If Halcyone had a stepmother who had come and taken her away, there were then more persons than her ancient aunts to reckon with.

She could not now slip off into a secret marriage with himself with small chance of awkward questionings.

That phase of the dream was over, he felt.
No letters of any sort were given him by the doctor's strict orders, and his private secretary had come down, an amiable and intelligent youth, and was dealing with the necessary official correspondence--as best he could--growing each day more infatuated with his fair hostess who felt that no pawn on the chessboard which contained John Derringham as king was worth neglecting.