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In effect； it was a relapse of the former disease； chiefly affecting
the brain； and his impatience to leave Recoara； and free himself from
Arnaud； had been a symptom of its approach； though it fortunately did
not absolutely overpower him till after he had embarked for Corfu； and
was in the way to be tended with the greatest solicitude。 Long after
the fever was subdued； and his strength returning； his mind was astray；
and even when torturing delusions ceased； and he resumed the perception
of surrounding objects； memory and reflection wavered in dizzy
confusion； more distressing than either his bodily weakness； or the
perpetual pain in his head； which no remedy could relieve。
The first date to which he could afterwards recur； though for more than
a week he had apparently been fully himself； was a time when he was
sitting in an easy…chair by the window； obliged to avert his heavy eyes
from the dazzling waters of the Corcyran bay； where Ulysses'
transformed ship gleamed in the sunshine； and the rich purple hills of
Albania sloped upwards in the distance。 James Thorndale was； as usual；
with him； and was explaining that there had been a consultation between
the doctor and the colonel； and they had decided that as there was not
much chance of restoring his health in that climate in the spring。
'Spring！' he interrupted； with surprise and eagerness； 'Is it spring？'
'Hardlyexcept that there is no winter here。 This is the 8th of
January。'
He let his head fall on his hand again； and listened with indifference
when told he was to be sent to England at once； under the care of his
servant； Bolton； and Mr。 Thorndale himself； who was resolved to see him
safe in his sister's hands。 He made no objection； he had become used
to be passive； and one place was much the same to him as another； so he
merely assented； without a question about the arrangements。 Presently；
however； he looked up； and inquired for his letters。 Though he had
done so before； the request had always been evaded； until now he spoke
in a manner which decided his friend on giving him all except one with
broad black edges； and Broadstone post…mark； the effect of which； it
was thought； might be very injurious to his shattered nerves and
spirits。
However； he turned over the other letters without interest； just
glancing languidly through them； looked disappointed； and exclaimed
'None from Hollywell！ Has nothing been heard from them？ Thorndale； I
insist on knowing whether De Courcy has heard anything of Lady
Morville。'
'He has heard of her arrival in England。'
'My sister mentions thatmore than two months agoI can hardly
believe she has not written； if she was able。 She promised； yet how
can I expect' then interrupting himself； he added； authoritatively；
'Thorndale； is there no letter for me？ I see there is。 Let me have
it。'
His friend could not but comply； and had no reason to regret having
done so； for after reading it twice； though he sighed deeply； and the
tears were in his eyes； he was more calm and less oppressed than he had
been at any time since his arrival in Corfu。 He was unable to write；
but Colonel Deane had undertaken to write to Mrs。 Henley to announce
his coming； and as the cause of his silence must be known at Hollywell；
he resolved to let Amabel's letter wait for a reply till his arrival in
England。
It was on a chilly day in February that Mrs。 Henley drove to the
station to meet her brother； looking forward with a sister's
satisfaction to nursing his recovery； and feeling （for she had a heart；
after all） as if it was a renewal of the days； which she regarded with
a tenderness mixed with contempt； when all was confidence between the
brother and sister； the days of nonsense and romance。 She hoped that
now poor Philip； who had acted hastily on his romance； and ruined his
own prospects for her sake in his boyish days； had a chance of having
it all made up to him； and reigning at Redclyffe according to her
darling wish。
As she anxiously watched the arrival of the train； she recognized Mr。
Thorndale； whom she had known in his school…days as Philip's protege
but could that be her brother？ It was his height； indeed； but his slow
weary step as he crossed the platform； and left the care of his baggage
to others； was so unlike his prompt； independent air； that she could
hardly believe it to be himself； till； with his friend； he actually
advanced to the carriage； and then she saw far deeper traces of illness
than she was prepared for。 A confusion of words took place； greetings
on one hand； and partings on the other； for James Thorndale was going
on by the train； and made only a few minutes' halt in which to assure
Mrs。 Henley that though the landing and the journey had knocked up his
patient to…day； he was much better since leaving Corfu； and to beg
Philip to write as soon as possible。 The bell rang； he rushed back；
and was whirled away。
'Then you are better；' said Mrs。 Henley； anxiously surveying her
brother。 'You are sadly altered！ You must let us take good care of
you。'
'Thank you！ I knew you would be ready to receive me； though I fear I
am not very good company。'
'Say no more； my dearest brother。 You know both Dr。 Henley and myself
have made it our first object that our house should be your home。'
'Thank you。'
'This salubrious air must benefit you；' she added。 'How thin you are！
Are you very much fatigued？'
'Rather；' said Philip； who was leaning back wearily； but the next
moment he exclaimed； 'What do you hear from Hollywell？'
'There is no news yet。'
'Do you know how she is？ When did you hear of her？'
'About a week ago； when she wrote to inquire for you。'
'She did？ What did she say of herself？'
'Nothing particular； poor little thing； I believe she is always on the
sofa。 My aunt would like nothing so well as making a great fuss about
her。'
'Have you any objection to show me her letter？' said Philip； unable to
bear hearing Amabel thus spoken of； yet desirous to learn all he could
respecting her。
'I have not preserved it；' was the answer。 'My correspondence is so
extensive that there would be no limit to the accumulation if I did not
destroy the trivial letters。'
There was a sudden flush on Philip's pale face that caused his sister
to pause in her measured； self…satisfied speech； and ask if he was in
pain。
'No；' he replied； shortly； and Margaret pondered on his strange manner；
little guessing what profanation her mention of Amabel's letter had
seemed to him； or how it jarred on him to hear this exaggerated
likeness of his own self…complacent speeches。
She was much shocked and grieved to see him so much more unwell than
she had expected。 He was unfit for anything but to go to bed on his
arrival。 Dr。 Henley said the system had received a s