Time passed, and Dr. Enys entered the room. He administered an injection. Francis frowned knowing Elizabeth never left Ross's side for the duration of his journey.
"You must continue to monitor his condition. He should improve, but stay with him." Dr. Enys instructed.
"Perhaps, I should have fetched Demelza. She'll be wondering where her husband is." Francis whined.
He left the room, as he couldn't watch Elizabeth and Ross any longer.
He went to the library to pour himself another glass.
Ross's fever broke, and he seemed to awake from his delirium.
"Elizabeth, what's happened...I..." He struggled to sit up and looked around taking in his surroundings. His shirt was open. He took in the state of his body.
"Ross, don't exert yourself. You're weak."
"How long have I been in this bed?"
"A day or so...It was a high fever" Elizabeth answered him guiding him to lie back again.
"You look exhausted." His voice had not gained its strength, so his words projected little more than the volume of a whisper. "You've been here at my side all the time? You've not got much rest."
"I...wanted to...tend to you...take care of you...I needed to...be sure you were all right...I...couldn't lose you... again..." The word "again" she whispered tearily in shock of her own admission of her soul's feelings."
In that moment, Ross turned to lock his gaze with hers-his brooding and soul-piercing gaze-with a look of wonder upon his face.
They heard rushing footsteps. Demelza appeared in the doorway.
"ROSS," she cried.
Elizabeth rose from her place upon the bed looking down almost as if reality had truly returned to her as she saw Demelza. She knew Ross was lost to her now. She gracefully and slowly backed away from his bedside as Demelza knelt before him.
"When you didn't come home, I was worried sick. I fell asleep and woke in the morning to find you had never returned for the night. I knew something serious must have happened to you. I should have searched here first. Francis told me when I came in that you fell ill here."
"I apologise to have worried you so, wife." He spoke.
"Nevermind. I'm glad you are safe and on the mend now." Demelza replied.
Elizabeth was exiting the room.
"Elizabeth?" Ross called quietly to stop her for a moment.
She turned to look at him.
"Thank you," He said so very genuinely and with graciousness.
"Of course," Elizabeth's voice was like a lullaby in response.
She then continued to exit. She swallowed her choked up feeling of all the emotions that rose within her when she was at Ross's side. Her heart seemed to sink in her chest.
He was lost...lost...perhaps...forever.