But the next instant he disconcerted her in the most unexpected fashion.
"I have been waiting for your pulse to steady down," he said coolly.
"Oh!" said Olga.
He left the window and came to her side.

She gave him her hand with an abrupt, childish movement.
"It's great nonsense!" she said, with burning cheeks.

"You can't possibly make me out ill." She saw one side of his mouth go up.

He took out his watch, but he looked at her.
"You don't imagine that I want to keep you as a patient, do you ?" he said.
"You know you always like people best when they are ill," she retorted.
"Do I ?" he said.
"Well, don't you ?" "I wonder what makes you think so," he said.
She looked straight up at him with something of defiance.

"You never bother to be nice to people unless they are ill." He frowned a little.