"
"I have not touched food all day, Mrs. Wilders."
"You must have been very busy, then?"
"Surely you have heard what has happened this morning?"
Mrs. Wilders looked at him amazed.
"A desperate battle has been fought."
"Another!" She thought of what Mr. Hobson had told her. "How has it
ended? In whose favour? Are we safe here?"
"There is no cause for alarm. The Russians have been handsomely beaten
again; but we have suffered considerable loss," he said, hesitating a
little, fearing to be too brusque with his bad news.
"Is that why the general could not come?"
"Exactly. He has had a great deal to do."
"Nothing should have prevented him from coming here."
It never seemed to have occurred to her that he had been in any
danger; nor, as McKay noticed, had she asked whether he was safe and
well.
"It was quite impossible for him to come. He--he--"
"Pray go on! You are very tantalising."
"The general has been badly wounded," McKay now blurted out abruptly.
"Dear! dear!" she said, rather coolly. "I am very sorry to hear it.
When and how did it occur?"
McKay explained.
"Poor dear!" This was the first word of sympathy she had spoken, and
even now she made no offer to go to him.
"The doctors think there is no great danger if--"
"Danger!" This seemed to rouse her.
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