"You look dreadfully bad," the girl said. "Still, I hope we shall soon bring you round again. My father said you would be back with him about this time, and we shall begin by giving you some soup, at once."
As they entered the hall, the countess herself came down.
"Welcome back again! I may say, I hope, welcome home again, Major Drummond!"
"Colonel Drummond," the count corrected. "He is one of Frederick's colonels now."
"I congratulate you," she went on, "though just at present, you certainly do not look a very formidable colonel. However, we will soon build you up; but don't try to talk now. I see the journey has been almost too much for you.
"In here, please. I thought you had better take something before you climbed the stairs."
A meal was laid, in a room leading off the hall; and after a basin of soup and a couple of glasses of Rhine wine, Fergus felt much better.
"That is right," the count said. "You have now got a tinge of colour in your cheeks.
"Come, Thirza, you must not look so woebegone, because our knight is pulled down a bit. Invalids want a cheerful face and, unless you brighten up, I shall not intrust any of the nursing duties to you."
Thirza tried to smile, but the attempt was a very forced one.