“And the cipher is his love,” Mrs. McLean said, with wet eyes.  In the excitement of those days Elspeth talked much to her of Tommy’s love for Grizel, and how she had refused him, and it went round the town with embellishments.  It was generally believed now that she really had gone to London to see her father, and that his heartless behaviour had unhinged her mind.

By David’s advice, Corp and Gavinia did not contradict this story.  It was as good as another, he told them, and better than the truth.

But what was the truth? they asked greedily.

“Oh, that he is a noble fellow,” David replied grimly.

They knew that, but—­

He would tell them no more, however, though he knew all.  Tommy had made full confession to the doctor, even made himself out worse than he was, as had to be his way when he was not making himself out better.

“And I am willing to proclaim it all from the market-place,” he said hoarsely, “if that is your wish.”

“I daresay you would almost enjoy doing that,” said David, rather cruelly.

“I daresay I should,” Tommy said, with a gulp, and went back to Grizel’s side.  It was not, you may be sure, to screen him that David kept the secret; it was because he knew what many would say of Grizel if the nature of her journey were revealed.  He dared not tell Elspeth, even; for think of the woe to her if she learned that it was her wonderful brother who had brought Grizel to this pass!  The Elspeths of this world always have some man to devote himself to them.  If the Tommies pass away, the Davids spring up.  For my own part, I think Elspeth would have found some excuse for Tommy.  He said so himself to the doctor, for he wanted her to be told.

“Or you would find the excuse for her in time,” David responded.

“Very likely,” Tommy said.  He was humble enough now, you see.  David could say one thing only which would rouse him, namely, that Grizel was not to die in this fever; and for long it seemed impossible to say that.

“Would you have her live if her mind remains affected?” he asked; and Tommy said firmly, “Yes.”

“You think, I suppose, that then you would have less for which to blame yourself!”

“I suppose that is it.  But don’t waste time on me, Gemmell, when you have her life to save, if you can.”

Well, her life was saved, and Tommy’s nursing had more to do with it than David’s skill.  David admitted it; the town talked of it.  “I aye kent he would find a wy,” Corp said, though he had been among the most anxious.  He and Aaron Latta were the first admitted to see her, when she was able once more to sit in a chair.  They had been told to ask her no questions.  She chatted pleasantly to them, and they thought she was quite her old self.  They wondered to see Tommy still so sad-eyed.  To Ailie she spoke freely of her illness, though not of what had occasioned it, and told her almost gleefully that David had promised to let her sew a little next week.  There was one thing only that surprised Ailie.  Grizel had said that as soon as she was a little stronger she was going home.