He was, however, far from being a rich man, on a level with the great
merchants, though he had succeeded to a modest, not unprosperous
trade in spices, drugs, condiments and other delicacies.
He fetched a skilful Jewish physician to visit Sir Leonard Copeland,
but there was no great difference in the young man's condition for
many days. Grisell nursed him indefatigably, sitting by him so as to
hear the sweet bells chime again and again, and the storks clatter on
the roofs at sunrise.
Still, whenever her hand brought him some relief, or she held drink
to his lips, his words and thanks were for Eleanor, and more and more
did the sense sink down upon her like lead that she must give him up
to Eleanor.
Yes, it was like lead, for, as she watched his face on the pillow her
love went out to him. It might have done so even had he been
disfigured like herself; but his was a beautiful countenance of noble
outlines, and she felt a certain pride in it as hers, while she
longed to see it light up with reason, and glow once more with
health. Then she thought she could rejoice, even if there were no
look of love for her.
The eyes did turn towards her again with the mind looking out of
them, and he knew her for the nurse on whom he depended for comfort
and relief. He thanked her courteously, so that she felt a thrill of
pleasure every time. He even learnt her name of Grisell, and once he
asked whether she were not English, to which she replied simply that
she was, and on a further question she said that she had been at
Sunderland with Master Groot, and that she had lost her home in the
course of the wars.
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