'Oh no, no; but you—'
'It is very little,' he said—'a stray shot—only enough to work on their feelings. What good-natured rogues they were. I will only twist my handkerchief round to stop the blood. Thank you.'
Isabel tried to help him, but she was too much afraid of hurting him to draw the bandage tight.
They dashed on, finding people on the watch for tidings, and meeting bodies of the National Guard, and when at length they reached the Place Vendome, they found the whole establishment watching for them, and Virginia flew to meet them on the stairs, throwing her arms round her sister, while Lady Conway started forward with the agitated joy, and almost anger, of one who felt injured by the fright they had made her suffer.
'There you are! What has kept you! Delaford said they were slaughtering every one on the Boulevards!'
'I warned you of the consequences of taking me,' said Louis, dropping into a chair.
'Mamma! he is all over blood!' screamed Virginia.
Lady Conway recoiled, with a slight shriek.
'It is a trifle,' said Louis;' Isabel is safe. There is all cause for thankfulness. We could never have got through if she had not been every inch a heroine.'
'Oh, Lord Fitzjocelyn, if I could thank you!'