"Why, I cannot do that, you see," replied Patsy, "because the worst
hasn't happened yet; nor can I tell you the best, because a wound is
such an uncertain thing. It was a shell, you know, that exploded behind
him, and Dr. Gys thought it made a rather serious wound. Mr. Denton was
unconscious a long time, and when he came to himself we eased his pain,
so he would not suffer."

"You came to get me because you thought he would die?"

"I came because he asked me to read to him your letters, and I found
they comforted him so much that your presence would, I knew, comfort him
more."

There was a long silence. Presently the countess asked in her soft, even
voice:

"Will he be alive when we get there?"

Patsy thought of the days that had been wasted, because of their
detention at Ostend through Colonel Grau's stupidity.

"I hope so, madam," was all she could reply.

Conversation lagged after this episode. Elizabeth was weeping quietly on
her mother's shoulder. Patsy felt relief in the knowledge that she had
prepared them, as well as she could, for whatever might wait upon their
arrival.

The launch made directly for the ship and as she came alongside to the
ladder the rail was lined with faces curious to discover if the errand
had been successful. Doctor Gys was there to receive them, smiling
horribly as he greeted the two women in black. Maud, seeing that they
recoiled from the doctor's appearance, took his place and said
cheerfully:

"Mr. Denton is asleep, just now, but by the time you have bathed and had
a cup of tea I am quite sure he will be ready to receive you."

"Tell me; how is he? Are you his nurse?" asked the young wife with
trembling lips.

"I am his nurse, and I assure you he is doing very well," answered Maud
with her pleasant, winning smile. "When he finds you by his side I am
sure his recovery will be rapid. No nurse can take the place of a wife,
you know."

Patsy looked at her reproachfully, thinking she was misleading the poor
young wife, but Maud led the ladies away to a stateroom and it was Dr.
Gys who explained the wonderful improvement in the patient.

"Well," remarked Uncle John, "if we'd known he had a chance, we wouldn't
have worried so because we were held up. In fact, if we'd known he would
get well, we needn't have gone at all."

"Oh, Uncle John!" cried Patsy reprovingly.

"It was your going that saved him," declared the doctor. "I promised to
keep him alive, for that little wif