“‘He spoke so loud that I said, “Hist! hist! don’t make such a horrible noise as that, my man,” at the same time making a sign with both hands for him to be quiet. He then repeated his question, but not in so loud a tone. I told him this was the hut.
“‘“All right,” said he, jumping from his horse, and he was walking straight in when I pushed him back, asking what he meant and whom he wanted.
“‘“Miss Nightingale,” said he.
“‘“And pray who are you?”
“‘“Oh, only a soldier,” was the reply; “but I must see her—I have come a long way—my name is Raglan: she knows me very well.”
“‘Miss Nightingale, overhearing him, called me in, saying, “Oh! Mrs. Roberts, it is Lord Raglan. Pray tell him I have a very bad fever, and it will be dangerous for him to come near me.”
“‘“I have no fear of fever, or anything else,” said Lord Raglan.
“‘And before I had time to turn round, in came his lordship. He took up a stool, sat down at the foot of the bed, and kindly asked Miss Nightingale how she was, expressing his sorrow at her illness, and thanking her and praising her for the good she had done for the troops. He wished her a speedy recovery, and hoped that she might be able to continue her charitable and invaluable exertions, so highly appreciated by every one, as well as by himself.
“‘He then bade Miss Nightingale good-bye, and went away. As he was going I said I wished to apologize.