swayed and fell over heavily, carrying Honor with him as he went down; a
ball had entered his lung under the girl's arm, in the little space left
open by the inward curve of her waist. Eliot ran by the two, up the
stair, and out of the house; but, as he passed Honor, he took the time
to strike her across the cheek, and curse her. At the door he found
Marcher, sprang into the saddle, and rode away.

Brother Bethuel, with white face, hurried down and stanched the blood;
he had no small knowledge of surgery and the healing craft, and he
commanded Royce not to utter a syllable. Honor held the young man's head
in her lap, and every now and then softly took up his fallen hand.
Wainwright drew away, and watched her with the deepest pain of his life
gnawing at his heart. He saw her stroke Royce's hair fondly, as if she
could not help it, and saw her begin to sob over his closing eyes and
the deepening violet shadows under them, and then stop herself lest she
should disturb him. Brother Bethuel was listening to the breathing with
bent head, to find out if there was any chance for life. The house was
as still as a tomb; a bee came in, and hummed above their heads.

"He _has_ a chance," said the missionary at last, fervently, raising his
head. "Do not let him stir." He ran up stairs for restoratives, and
Wainwright sat down on a stool which had been Eliot's seat during his
imprisonment, and covered his eyes with his hand. It seemed to him that
he had sat there a long time, and that Honor must be noticing him now.
He glanced up; she was gazing down at the still face on her lap. He
stirred; she motioned impatiently for silence with her hand, but did not
raise her eyes. He sat looking at her miserably, and growing old, older
with every moment. His lips quivered once as he silently gave up for
ever his dream of hope and love. He passed his hand over his dry eyes,
and sat still. By the time he was needed he was able to help Brother
Bethuel in making Royce as comfortable as possible on the cellar-floor:
they dared not move him.

The troops arrived in time to hear all about it--they then went back
again.

Wainwright returned to Ellerby that evening. The army-surgeon and a
nurse had been sent out immediately to the mountain cottage, and Colonel
Eliot, distressed and agitated, had accompanied them. Wainwright went to
his room, attired himself anew, and sought Adelaide's parlor. Adelaide
received him quietly; she said nothing, but came