“Quitetrue！“Hemadethereplywithasuddenchangeofcolorwhichsheinstantlydetected。Herbrighteningeyeslookedathimmoreearnestlythanever，assheputhernextquestion。
“Howcameyoutoremembermeafteronlyseeingmeonce？“
Hishandunconsciouslyclosedonhers，andpresseditforthefirsttime。Heattemptedtoanswer，andhesitatedatthefirstword。“Ihaveagoodmemory，“hesaidatlast；andsuddenlylookedawayfromherwithaconfusionsostrangelyunlikehiscustomaryself-possessionofmannerthatthedoctorandthenursebothnoticedit。
Everynerveinherbodyfeltthatmomentarypressureofhishand，withtheexquisitesusceptibilitywhichaccompaniesthefirstfalteringadvanceonthewaytohealth。Shelookedathischangingcolor，shelistenedtohishesitatingwords，witheverysensitiveperceptionofhersexandagequickenedtoseizeintuitivelyonthetruth。Inthemomentwhenhelookedawayfromher，shegentlytookherhandfromhim，andturnedherheadasideonthepillow。“Canitbe？“shethought，withaflutterofdeliciousfearatherheart，withaglowofdeliciousconfusionburningonhercheeks。“Canitbe？“
ThedoctormadeanothersigntoKirke。Heunderstoodit，androseimmediately。Themomentarydiscomposureinhisfaceandmannerhadbothdisappeared。Hewassatisfiedinhisownmindthathehadsuccessfullykepthissecret，andinthereliefoffeelingthatconvictionhehadbecomehimselfagain。