I foresaw that Rayel would only get a reputation for insanity if pressed to the point of explaining his suspicions. It seemed quite likely, also, that any futile discussion of the subject would defeat justice.
That day brought me a letter from Hester, whom I had been looking for with much impatience since I had begun to feel more like myself. She would shortly have fulfilled all her professional engagements, and would then return at once to New York. "I wonder," she added, somewhat coquettishly, "if you will be glad to see me." On this point there was no doubt in my mind, and although my strength increased rapidly, the days passed with tedious slowness after that.
I was sitting by the window one morning, looking out upon the moving throng in the opposite street, when the door of my room was suddenly opened. I supposed that one of the physicians had come to see me, and I waited for him to speak.
"Kendric!"
It was Rayel who spoke my name, but somehow his voice did not seem quite natural, and I turned to greet him.
"This is our 'Woman,'" said he, advancing toward me with Hester upon his arm.
I rose feebly to my feet, confused by the sudden announcement, and took her extended hand. We looked into each other's eyes for a moment without speaking. My own were rapidly filling with tears, and I could see her but dimly.
"What a fine outlook you have!" she said, in a tremulous voice, turning suddenly to the window and looking out upon the trees now half stripped of their foliage by the autumn winds. We both stood staring out of the window in silence. For my part, I could not have spoken if I had known what to say. How she had changed! The blushing little miss who had awakened the pangs of first love in my youthful heart was a beautiful young woman, now full grown and arrayed in costly finery. Rayel was the first to speak.
"You must be glad to meet again--you have loved each other so long," said he.
Honest Rayel! He knew our hearts--their longings, their histories, and also the vanity and pride that dwelt in them. Why should there be any concealment between her and me?
"It has been a long time--a very long time to me, Hester, for I have loved you ever since we first met."
She turned toward me, her eyes filled with tears, and I drew her to my heart and kissed her fondly.