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'Then if you have not； I can tell you who has。 What do you think of
his beginning to give me a lecture how to behave to you？'
'Did he think you wanted it very much？'
'I don't know： for of course I could not let him go on。'
Guy was so much diverted at the idea of her wanting a lecture on wife…
like deportment； that he had no time to be angry at the impertinence；
and he made her laugh also by his view that was all force of habit。
'Now； Guidogood Cavaliere Guidodo grant me one satisfaction；' said
she； coaxingly。 'Only say you are very glad he is gone his own way。'
On the contrary； I am sorry he is running his head into a fever；' said
Guy； pretending to be provoking。
'I don't want you to be glad of that； I only want you to be glad he is
not sitting here towering over us。' Guy smiled； and began to whistle
'Cock up your beaver； and cock it fu' sprush！'
CHAPTER 31
And turned the thistles of a curse
To types beneficent。WORDSWORTH
It was about three weeks after the rendezvous at Bellagio； that Sir Guy
and Lady Morville arrived at Vicenza； on their way from Venice。 They
were in the midst of breakfast when Arnaud entered； saying；
'It was well； Sir Guy； that you changed your intention of visiting the
Valtelline with Captain Morville。'
'What！ Have you heard anything of him？'
'I fear that his temerity has caused him to suffer。 I have just heard
that an Englishman of your name is severely ill at Recoara。'
'Where？'
'At 〃la badia di Recoara〃。 It is what in English we call a watering…
place； on the mountains to the north； where the Vicentini do go in
summer for 〃fraicheur〃； but they have all returned in the last two days
for fear of the infection。'
'I'll go and make inquiries' said Guy； rising in haste。 Returning in a
quarter of an hour； he said；'It is true。 It can be no other than
poor Philip。 I have seen his doctor； an Italian； who； when he saw our
name written； said it was the same。 He calls it 〃una febbre molto
grave〃。'
'Very heavy！ Did he only know the name in writing？'
'Only from seeing it on his passport。 He has been unable to give any
directions。'
'How dreadfully ill he must be！ And alone！ What shall we do？ You
won't think of leaving me behind you； whatever you do？' exclaimed
Amabel； imploringly。
'It is at no great distance； and'
'0； don't say that。 Only take me with you。 I will try to bear it； if
you don't think it right； but it will be very hard。'
Her eyes were full of tears； but she struggled to repress them； and was
silent in suspense as she saw him considering。
'My poor Amy！' said he； presently； 'I believe the anxiety would be
worse for you if I were to leave you here。'
'Oh； thank you！' exclaimed she。
'You will have nothing to do with the nursing。 No； I don't think there
is much risk； so we will go together。'
'Thank you！ thank you！ and perhaps I may be of some use。 But is it
very infectious？'
'I hope not： caught at Colico； and imported to a fresh place。 I should
think there was little fear of its spreading。 However； we must soon be
off： I am afraid he is very ill； and almost deserted。 In the first
place； I had better send an express to the Consul at Venice； to ask him
to recommend us a doctor； for I have not much faith in this Italian。'
They were soon on the way to Recoara； a road bordered on one side by
high rocks； on the other by a little river flowing down a valley； shut
in by mountains。 The valley gradually contracted in the ascent； till
it became a ravine； and further on a mere crevice marked by the thick
growth of the chestnut…trees； but before this greater narrowing； they
saw the roofs of the houses in the little town。 The sun shone clear；
the air had grown fresh as they mounted higher； Amabel could hardly
imagine sickness and sorrow in so fair a spot； and turned to her
husband to say so； but he was deep in thought； and she would not
disturb him。
The town was built on the bank of the stream； and very much shut in by
the steep crags； which seemed almost to overhang the inn； to which they
drove； auguring favourably of the place from its fresh； clean aspect。
Guy hastened to the patient； while Amabel was conducted to a room with
a polished floor； and very little furniture； and there waited anxiously
until he returned。 There was a flush on his face； and almost before he
spoke； he leant far out of the window to try to catch a breath of air。
'We must find another room for him directly；' said he。 'He cannot
possibly exist where he isa little densuch an atmosphere of fever
enough to knock one down！ Will you have one got ready for him？'
'Directly；' said Amabel； ringing。 'How is he？'
'He is in a stupor； it is not sleep。 He is frightfully ill； I never
felt anything like the heat of his skin。 But that stifling hole would
account for much； very likely he may revive； when we get him into a
better atmosphere。 No one has attended to him properly。 It is a
terrible thing to be ill in a foreign country without a friend！'
Arnaud came； and Amabel sent for the hostess； while Guy returned to his
charge。 Little care had been taken for the solitary traveller on foot；
too ill to exact attention； and whose presence drove away custom； but
when his case was taken up by a Milord Inglese； the people of the inn
were ready to do their utmost to cause their neglect to be forgotten；
and everything was at the disposal of the Signora。 The rooms were
many； but very small； and the best she could contrive was to choose
three rooms on the lower floor； rather larger than the rest； and
opening into each other； as well as into the passage； so that it was
possible to produce a thorough draught。 Under her superintendence；
Anne made the apartment look comfortable； and almost English； and
sending word that all was ready； she proceeded to establish herself in
the corresponding rooms on the floor above。
Philip was perfectly unconscious when he was carried to his new room。
His illness had continued about a week； and had been aggravated first
by his incredulous and determined resistance of it； and then by the
neglect with which he had been treated。 It was fearful to see how his
great strength had been cut down； as there he lay with scarcely a sign
of life； except his gasping； labouring breath。 Guy stood over him； let
the air blow in from the open window； sprinkled his face with vinegar；
and moistened his lips； longing for the physician； for whom； however；
he knew he must wait many hours。 Perplexed； ignorant of the proper
treatment； fearing to do harm； and extremely anxious； he still was
almost rejoiced： for there was no one to whom he was so glad to do a
service； and a hope arose of full reconciliation。
The patient was somewhat revived by the fresh air； he breathed more