He did not appear to note her footfall; but when she stood beside him, and gently spoke his name, his eyes flashed open in a moment, and fixed themselves upon her face, their expression growing each moment more clear and comprehending.
"Gertrude!" he breathed in a voice whose weakness told a tale of its own, and he moved his hand as though he would fain ascertain by the sense of touch whether or not this was a dream.
She saw the movement, and took his hand between her own, kneeling down beside the bed and covering it with kisses and tears.
That seemed to tell him all, without the medium of words.

He asked no question, he only lay gazing at her with a deep contentment in his eyes.

He probably knew not either where he was, or how any of these strange things came to pass.

She was with him; she was his very own.

Of that there could be no manner of doubt.