It would be just selfish of me to want him." And so the time went on till it was past mid-September, and there came a day, mild, warm, and full of the soft subdued light of deepening autumn, when Mary told her patient that he might get up, and sit in an armchair for a few hours in the kitchen.

She gave him this news when she brought him his breakfast, and added-- "I'll wrap you up in father's dressing gown, and you'll be quite cosy and safe from chill.

And after another week you'll be so strong that you'll be able to dress yourself and do without me altogether!" This phrase struck curiously on his ears.

"Do without her altogether!" That would be strange indeed--almost impossible! It was quite early in the morning when she thus spoke--about seven o'clock,--and he was not to get up till noon, "when the air was at its warmest," said Mary--so he lay very quietly, thinking over every detail of the position in which he found himself.

He was now perfectly aware that it was a position which opened up great possibilities.