"I'm a very poor horsewoman: you see I'm half a foreigner. No; the best plan will be to stay on board and get everything ready for the poor dear man. When may we expect him?"
"The doctors seem to wish the removal might not be delayed. You may see us in the morning."
"So, then, I am to have the pleasure of meeting you again, Mr. McKay?"
"I should be sorry to leave the general while I can be of any use. He has been a kind friend to me."
"And you are a relation. Of course it is very natural you should wish to be at his side. I am sure I shall be delighted to have your assistance in nursing him," said Mrs. Wilders, very graciously; and soon afterwards McKay took his leave.
"So that is the last stumbling-block in my son's way: a sturdy, self-reliant sort of gentleman, likely to be able to take care of himself. I should like to get him into my power: but how, I wonder, how?"
Next day they moved the wounded general to Balaclava, and got him safely on board the Arcadia. He was accompanied by a doctor and McKay.
Mrs. Wilders received her husband with the tenderest solicitude.
"How truly fortunate I came here!" she said, with the tears in her eyes.
"Lydstone made no objection, then? Has he remained at Constantinople?" the general asked, feebly.