"It is disgusting!" Preston muttered.
"Some things are," answered the doctor; "not a brave woman, or a gentle man."
"Send Daisy away from this place. You know she ought not to be here; and you can forbid it."
"You overstate my power, my friend," said the doctor. "Shall we see how you are getting along to-day."
Preston's eye came to me again, silently, with reluctance and regret in it. I was touched more than I chose to show, and more than it was safe to think about."
"Does she know?" he asked.
"She does not know. Your cousin, Miss Randolph, has given one of his arms for his cherished cause."
"And one of my legs too," said Preston. "If it would do the cause any good, I would not care; but what good does it do? That's what I don't like about powder."
I had much ado to stand this communication. The work of examining and dressing Preston's wounds, however, immediately began; and in the effort to do my part, as usual, I found the best relief for overstrained nerves. I think some tears fell upon the bandages; but no word of remark was made by either physician or patient, till the whole business was concluded. Dr. Sandford then carried me off to a nice, warm, comfortable apartment, which he told me I might always hold as my own whenever I had time to be there; he seated me in a chair, and a second time poured me out a glass of wine, which he took from a cupboard.
"I do not drink it," I said, shaking my head.