​That's an easy one. "I don't think either of you need to have any fear of that. He's become very weak, as you've seen, and he's is sick--but all of it can be treated here. That tube in his arm--" Joly nods to it "--it's a way of giving him back the strength of the food and drink he's missed. I'm going to give him something to help keep him stronger against any other illness that might threaten while he's weak; there's a few other things, I'll give you as much detail as you like, and I want to go over it with him too. But what he mostly needs right now is rest and comfort and healthy surroundings."

Which Milliways has, of course. So much more than Paris that Joly won't currently try to explain it. "I couldn't promise to have him on his feet in a year in Paris, but here he should be able to walk around even without aid in a week or two. I'd really prefer he stayed at least a month, to get his strength back enough to be really proof against any fevers or contagion he might encounter when he returns. But tomorrow he should be ready to move into a room of his own here, and then ,well, we'll see how he does; but there's no reason at all he shouldn't recover, with rest and care." That there's no apparent reason he should have become sick at all doesn't worry Joly, who knows very well that illnesses happen when they happen.

Still-- "Of course, he does seem distraught about something. If there's anything I should know about--if he's had a shock, or some obvious recent exposure -- please tell me. But in any case, your being here should help a good deal. I do hope you'll both stay while he recovers; it would be a great help."

He smiles almost apologetically at Marius. "I know it must be startling to be here for the first time--but oh, i do hope you'll stay a while. Everyone will be so glad to see you, you know."