Out of her sphere - University Library

ME. THORNTON SPEAKS AT LAST. L09
checked him. He had had, in the course of
his iUness, one or two such intervals before,
when he had been able to think, at least,
coherently, if not to speak. But he could
speak now, and his mind was stronger and
clearer in its tone. Clare saw it plainly.
She did not wish him to die ; she had no
especial liking for him—Clare had never
had a hking for any one—but she had no
animus against him, and if it had not beeu
that his premature recovery would interfere
seriously with her plans, she would have
been proud of it as a proof of her good
nursing. He might have a relapse—even
the morrow might see him worse ; but Clare
was rather afraid that it would not, and, just
now, for him to get well enough even to
talk sensibly for an hour, would, if he were
told what had occurred in the last day or
two, be of serious detriment to Clare's plans.
" He could tell a great deal if he chose
—she felt sure of that—and yet it never
"