for you doctored
my head when the Frenchman broke my crown one day. See if you can't
stop the blood, at least till we get the lady to old Plessis's, and
the surgeon comes."
A broad-built elderly man advanced, and, with whatever materials
could be obtained upon the spot, made a sort of bandage and compress
by the dim light, and applied it dexterously enough, while Caroline
lay with her head upon her husband's bosom, and her hand clasped in
his.
Sherbrooke looked down in her face while this was done with agony
depicted in his countenance; nor was that agony rendered the less by
seeing a faint look of happiness come over her face as she thus
rested, and by feeling her hand press gently upon his. It all seemed
to say, "I could willingly die thus."
When the bandage had been applied, Lord Sherbrooke, though he shook
in every limb with agitation and anxiety, took her in his arms and
raised her, saying to the men, "Now show me the way."
But that way was long. The young nobleman put forth his strength too
much at first in the effort to carry her quickly, and after bearing
her on for about a mile, he paused and faltered.
"Let one of our people carry her," said the captain of the vessel,
which was lying in the river at no great distance from Plessis's
house--"there is near a mile to go yet."
Lord Sherbrooke turned and looked round. Wilton was close by his
side.
"Wilton," he said, "Wilton, you take her. With the exception of
herself, you are my best friend. Gently, oh gently! She is my wife,
Wilton, and I know you will not mind the burden."
"Pardon me, lady," said Wilton, as he took her gently out of Lord
Sherbrooke's arms, and she raised her head with a faint look of
inquiry; "it is your husband's sincere friend, and I will bear you as
carefully as if I were your brother."
She made no opposition; but no answer, only stretching forth her left
arm, which was the unwounded one, to Lord Sherbrooke: she let her
hand rest in his, as if she wished him to retain it; and Wilton
remarked, but not displeased, that she suffered not her head to rest
upon his bosom, as it had done upon that of his friend.
Considerably taller, and altogether of a more powerful frame than
Lord Sherbrooke, he bore her with greater ease; but still anxiety
made it seem an age till a glimmering light was seen through the
trees at no great distance.
Lord Sherbrooke was then in the act of proposing to carry her again;
but the good sailor who had spoken before interfered, saying, "No, no,
l