“A little better to-day. Dr. Henderson, whom I have just seen, says she has passed a better night.”
“Well, I hope she has; I shall pay her a visit as soon as possible—that is, when she is a little better. Was she ill at all at Scutari?”
“Not, my Lord, while I was there, and, I think, not before. It is rather remarkable that she should catch the Crimean fever just after her arrival.”
I told Lord Raglan of her imprudence in visiting a patient at Dr. Henderson’s, who had been attacked by the worst form of Crimean fever; also, of her remaining out so late, and not taking any refreshment.
“She appears,” said Lord Raglan, “to have no fear.”
“None whatever.”
I recounted her visit to the three-gun battery, and the scene that took place upon the centre mortar. Lord Raglan remarked—“It should be called the Nightingale mortar.”
He then jumped upon his horse, and I had but a few minutes to explain the result of my visit with Dr. Hall to the various hospitals. I mentioned that the most important thing was the immediate erection of a kitchen for the General Hospital, in case of a decided attack upon Sebastopol.
“Very true, Monsieur Soyer,” said Lord Raglan.
I stated that I had addressed a letter to his lordship to that effect.