Her mother's soul was overcome with sorrow and joy, for she felt that they spoke the truth.
Esperance, who had been watching for her coming, threw herself into her arms sobbing, but quickly realizing her impatience—"Come, come, he is expecting you."
In spite of her efforts to keep calm the poor woman cast herself upon the bed and embraced her son, interrupting her sobs with words of endearment, crying, laughing, delirious with happiness, for he was indeed alive, and she had feared…. But she cast away the terrible thought.
The doctor from the barracks entered for a consultation with Doctor Chartier, who issued the smiling command, "Leave him to the doctors now, good ladies."
The Countess pressed a last kiss on her son's hand and went away with
Genevieve and Esperance.
After Doctor Chartier had examined the wound, he congratulated his confrere. "You have cared for our patient admirably, and you will find that his mother is eternally grateful to you."
And indeed the Countess did press his hands and expressed with noble simplicity her gratitude to everyone for all that had been done for her son.
The doctors were to return in the evening. Albert begged his mother to take a little rest.
"If I have your word, dear mama, I declare to you I will go to sleep,
I am so relieved to know your anxiety is over."
"I will take care of your mother, Albert," said Esperance. "You take your medicine and go to sleep. Genevieve has promised to come and fetch me if you do not."