We met with
more eagerness than the good old devout dame usually allowed herself
to show, for each accepted the appearance of the other as a token of
the improvement of out patients at home. She said her son was nearly
well in health, but that his arm was still unserviceable, having been
cruelly twisted by the miscreants who had attacked him; and when I
told her that my brother was likewise recovering, she exclaimed:
'Ah! Madame, I dare not ask it; but if Madame la Vicomtesse could
kindly leave word of the good news as she passes our house, it would
be a true charity to my poor son. We have heard sad accounts of the
illness of M. de Ribaumont. The servants at the Hotel de Nidemerle
confirmed them, and my son, knowing that M. le Baron was hurt in his
behalf, has been devoured with misery. If Madame could let him know
at once it would spare him four or five hours of distress, ere I can
leave these poor creatures.'
'Perhaps he would like to see me,' I said; and the old lady was ready
to embrace me. She would not have dared to ask it; but I knew how
glad Eustace would be to have a personal account of him.
It was still early, and I met with no obstruction. My message was
taken in to ask whether M. Darpent would see me, and he came down
himself to lead me upstairs, looking very pale and worn, and giving
me his left hand, as in a broken voice he made polite speeches on the
honour I had done him.
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