The
ship is littered with wounded men, and our newly arrived friends must
be worn with fatigue."
His smooth, even sentences helped to dispel the stupor of amazement
which had made her dumb. And the first reasoned thought which came to
her was that the Spanish doctor had treated her with the kindness of an
indulgent parent, for Elsie was far too unselfish not to be alive to
the unselfishness of others.
"How good you have been to me!" she murmured. "I can never repay you.
I remember now that I said dreadful things to you in the saloon. But
you did not know what it meant to me when I realized that Captain
Courtenay might be falling even then beneath the blows of those
merciless savages. I have not had a chance to tell you that he has
asked me to be his wife, and I have consented. I love him more than
all the world. And you, Dr. Christobal, you who knew my father and
mother, who have grown-up daughters of your own, you will wish me
happiness?"
It was not easy to bear when it came, although he had guessed the truth
already. But he choked back the wrath and despair which surged up in
him, and said with his stately courtesy:
"I do wish you well, Elsie.
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