There was a faint, strangled gasp from the bed, and at that moment the physician entered the room.
“Oh, doctor, that poor man! did he ever come to?” eagerly inquired one of the women.
He answered in his quiet, professional tone:
“Yes; he recovered consciousness ten minutes ago; but I almost fear I had as well have let him go without disturbing his peace. He is more than likely fatally injured.”
Then he turned his attention to the patient, almost starting in alarm at the preternaturally solemn look of the great, wide open dark eyes.
But if he had but known it, his first words had been more potent than medicine in aiding her recovery.
“You have received a great shock, and I must immediately quiet your nerves,” he said, as his cool, steady fingers touched her pulse.
“Bend lower. I must speak to you,” she murmured, faintly.
He stooped down, and she whispered:
“Send away all but my maid.”