“If your officer wakes up in the night, you will send for me at once.”
“Yes, commandant.”
But Daniel did not wake up; and he had hardly opened his eyes on the next morning, about eight o’clock, when the chief surgeon entered his room. At the first glance at his patient, he exclaimed,—
“I am sure our imprudence yesterday will have no bad effects!”
Daniel said nothing; but, after the old surgeon had carefully examined him, he began,—
“Now, doctor, one question, a single one: in how many days will I be able to get up and take ship?”
“Ah! my dear lieutenant, there is time enough to talk about that.”
“No, doctor, no! I must have an answer. Fix a time, and I shall have the fortitude to wait; but uncertainty will kill me. Yes, I shall manage to wait, although I suffer like”—
The surgeon was evidently deeply touched.
“I know what you suffer, my poor Champcey,” he said; “I read that letter which came much nearer killing you than Crochard’s ball. I think in a month you will be able to sail.”