"Are you wounded, mother?"
"Only slightly," answered Victoria. And addressing me she extended her hand affectionately, saying:
"Brother, you are with us! My heart overflows with joy!"
"But who gave you the wound?"
"The Frankish woman whom Ellen and Sampso brought to my house after your departure—"
"Elwig!" I cried horrified. "Oh! The accursed creature! She has approved herself worthy of her race!"
"Schanvoch," Victoria said to me gravely, "we must not curse the dead. She whom you call Elwig lives no more—"
"Mother!" cried Victorin with increased anxiety. "Dear mother! Are you certain the wound is slight?"
"Here, my son; I shall let you see it!"
And in order to reassure Victorin, she unwound the bandage in which her right hand was wrapped.