The surgeon gave hopes; the ball had penetrated the chest, but it appeared to him to be one of those rare cases in which no serious injury of a vital organ had taken place. Kuhl also shared that opinion.
After adjusting the bandages, Blanden was lifted into the carriage, and driven home. The drive was very exhausting, and as the carriage rattled over the stone pavement, Blanden lost consciousness.
When he awoke out of the dull web of a confused world of dreams, with its shadows melting into one another, he saw a pale form seated by his bed.
It was Giulia.
Her gaze rested anxiously upon him; she kissed his unclosing eyes, she kissed his hands amidst scalding tears.
He had fought for his betrothed, from henceforth she would be his.
CHAPTER V.
[INTERNAL STRUGGLES.]
Giulia nursed Blanden unweariedly; she let the performance of "Il Barbière di Sevilla" be postponed again and again, to the great annoyance of the impressario, and only when Blanden began to recover did she attend the rehearsals.
Calm as she appeared by the bedside, a mighty struggle was disturbing her soul.