He was wounded some weeks ago; injured internally, and has been suffering agonies of pain ever since.

I wanted Dr.Barton sent for at once, but he would not hear of it, said the risk was too great and he must trust to Savage.

But now--" she paused, overcome with grief.
"But now the greater risk is in doing without him," suggested Elsie.
"May I not send immediately ?" "Excuse me one moment, and I will ask," the mother said, leaving the room.
She returned shortly to say that Wilkins had consented that Dr.Barton should be summoned; accepted Mrs.Travilla's kind offer with thanks.
Elsie at once sent her servant and carriage upon the errand, and meanwhile engaged in conversation with her hostess.

It was principally an account by the latter of her son's illness.
His sufferings, she said, had been intense: at first borne with fierce impatience and muttered imprecations upon the hand that had inflicted the wound.

He had likened himself to a caged tiger, so unbearable was the confinement to him,--almost more so than the torturing pain--but of late a great change had come over him; he had grown quiet and submissive, and the bitter hate seemed to have died out of his heart.
"As it has out of mine, I hope," continued the mother, the big tears rolling down her cheeks.
"I am now sensible that the feelings I have indulged against some persons--the Lelands principally--were most unchristian, and I hope the Lord has helped me to put them away.