anxiously, as the surgeon's followed him noiselessly from the
sick-room to the corridor without.

"Very low, master Ruez, very low indeed; it is the most critical
period of his sickness; but he has gone finely into that last nap,
thanks to the medicine, and if he will but continue under its
influence thus for a few hours, we may look for an abatement of this
burning thirst and fever, and then--"

"What, sir?" said the boy, eagerly, "what then?"

"Why, he may get over those wounds, but it's a severe case, and
would be little less than a miracle. I've seen sicker men live, and
I've seen those who seemed less sick die."

"Alas! then there is no way yet of deciding upon his case," said the
boy.

"None, Master Ruez; but we'll hope for the best; that is all that
can be done."

Ruez Gonzales walked out of the barracks and by the guard with a sad
countenance, and whistling for Carlo, who had crouched by the
parapet until his young master should come out, he turned his steps
up the Calla de Mercaderes to his home. Ruez sought his sister's
apartment, and throwing himself upon a lounge, seemed moody and
unhappy. As he reclined thus, Isabella regarded him intently, as
though she would read his thoughts without asking for them. There
seemed to be some reason why she did not speak to him sooner, but at
last she asked: