He himself had been very cautious in this respect; but had others concerned been equally so? And, above all, had the duel got into the newspapers, and, if so, with how much exposure of the circumstances?
Of course he could not tell. He longed to know; yet he shrank from asking questions. He would have examined the papers, but they were kept out of his way, and he was forbidden to read.
Thus in bitter self-communings, in remorse, in suspense and anxiety, the first days of his convalescence slowly wore away.
Francis Tredegar had not returned and he had remained in the hands of the surgeon and the valet.
And although he was debarred from reading the newspapers, and forbidden to converse, and so was left in ignorance of the most important matters that concerned him, yet he had learned something of what had transpired near him since the mad duel.
He had partly surmised and partly overheard enough to inform him that Prince Ernest, a frequent invalid himself, had at some self-sacrifice dispensed with the invaluable services of his own medical attendant, that he, Alexander, might have the advantage of that surgeon’s constant presence at his bedside. And this circumstance led Alexander to a true appreciation and respect for the Austrian, who was as noble by nature as he was by descent.
And there was something else he had to learn.
CHAPTER XXIX.
ALEXANDER’S DISCOVERIES.
Thou turnest mine eyes into my very soul,
And there I see such black and grained spots,