"Draw a deep breath," said the doctor.
He did so immediately.
"Does it hurt you?"
The young officer shook his head slightly, his eyes still fixed on Helena.
The doctor again felt his pulse, laid his hand on his brow, and listened attentively to his breathing.
He then went up to Madame von Wendenstein, and said, as he held out his hand to her with a joyful smile, "Nature has conquered this violent crisis, now only rest and nourishment are needed; thank God, your son is saved!"
The old lady approached the bed, pressed an affectionate kiss upon her son's brow, and gazed long into his eyes.
Then she left the room, and sank upon the sofa in the adjoining apartment: the frightful excitement and the long, anxious suspense had so exhausted her strength that her whole soul sought relief in a storm of tears.
Helena remained sitting near the bed, still holding the hand of her beloved, still gazing upon him calm and motionless, the brilliancy of perfect happiness on her pale features.
The candidate remained standing, with folded hands; he retained the gentle smile unchanged upon his lips, whilst his eyes never moved from the scene at the lieutenant's bedside.