A little colour had returned into her cheeks, and she looked altogether more like herself.
"How is he ?" Mrs.Donald asked.
"In my opinion, he's doing capitally, Mrs.Donald.His pulse is quiet and even, and he's breathing as quietly as a child; and I believe he is simply in a state of exhaustion, from which he is not likely to wake till tomorrow morning; and I predict that, in a few days, he will be up and about.

Indeed, if that bullet hasn't misbehaved itself, I see no reason why he shouldn't be up tomorrow." "That is indeed a relief, to us both," Mrs.Donald said, while Kate could only clasp her hands in silent thankfulness.
"And now, how is your husband?
I hope he is none the worse, for all this exertion." "He was terribly agitated, at first," Mrs.Donald said.

"I fainted, you know, and he got out of bed to help me up; and it was as much as I could do, when I recovered, to get him to lie down; for he wanted to mount and ride after Kate, although, of course, he is as weak as a child, and even with my help he could scarcely get into bed again.
"Fortunately Mrs.Barker ran in, before she started on horseback to fetch you, to say that the constable was off in pursuit, and that quieted him.

Then I think he was occupied in trying to cheer me, for as soon as he was in bed I broke down and cried; till the constable came back to say that Captain Whitney had overtaken, and shot, the bush ranger." Three hours later, to the great relief of all, the surgeon arrived.
He was first taken in to look at Reuben, having been told all the circumstances of the case; and he confirmed Mr.Barker's opinion that he was really in a deep sleep.
"I would not wake him, on any account," he said.

"It is a great effort of nature, and he will, I hope, awake quite himself.