“I will take you in my coupe,” said the doctor to the Count. “It will bring you back quicker. You will be here again in an hour.”
Before leaving, the doctor again carefully examined the wounded man, to assure himself that his condition remained satisfactory.
Guilleroy still hesitated.
“You do not think that we are doing anything imprudent?” he asked.
“No,” said the doctor. “He needs only rest and quiet. Madame de Guilleroy will see that he does not talk, and will speak to him as little as possible.”
The Countess was startled, and said:
“Then I must not talk to him?”
“Oh, no, Madame! Take an armchair and sit beside him. He will not feel that he is alone and will be quite content; but no fatigue of words, or even of thoughts. I will call about nine o'clock to-morrow morning. Good-bye, Madame. I salute you!”
He left the room with a low bow, followed by the Count who repeated:
“Do not worry yourself, my dear. Within an hour I shall return, and then you can go home.”