“Wait till I come back from Brittany, where I am, and get to the Hospital where Havard is.”
“Of course. Come hither, enter, and tell me the truth about him.”
“He is in a very bad way; they have cut off his leg. That was neatly done, but he has a dreadful strait to go through; he will have fever to-night at seven o’clock—— ”
The bystanders looked at each other.
“This fever will pull him down; but I am sure he will get through the first fit.”
“And will be saved?”
“No: for the fever returns and—poor Havard! he has a wife and little ones!”
His eyes filled with tears.
“His wife will be left a widow and the little ones orphans?”
“Wait, wait—no, no!” he cried, clasping his hands. “They prayed so hard for him that their prayers have been granted.”