If any stupid man, though (a woman would know better), supposes that I informed Mr. Summers of this, either by word or look, in his first lucid moment, he is entirely mistaken. On the contrary to punish myself for this humiliating weakness, I was more severe than ever; and when the patient became well enough to thank me for my kind attention, etc., I told him, as coldly as I could, that it was no more than I would have done for the commonest soldier--(which was not strict truth)--that my labors were given to my country, and not to individuals--with much more to the same purpose.
Mr. Summers sighed deeply, and turned over on his pillow; and he did not imagine how I felt.
He said no more on the subject then; but, one evening, when he had been moved from his bed to an easy chair, he spoke out like a man, and a pretty determined one, too, in plain terms, and asked me if I would ever marry him?
In just as plain terms I told him that I never would--I had resolved to devote my life in this manner; and, with an expression of utter hopelessness, he replied that he took back all his thanks for the miserable life I had saved; he was weary of it, and would hasten to throw it away on the next battle field.
This was very dreadful, of course; but that winter's practice had given me quite a turn for arithmetic, and I fell to calculating how many battles would probably transpire before that crippled shoulder would let him take the field again.
'You will not get out under three months,' said I, confidently.
He looked at me for a moment; and then, bending closer, he whispered, 'You do not really mean it, Isabel?'
My face flushed uncomfortably at this address, but, making a last struggle, I inquired carelessly, 'And why not, pray?'
'Because,' he replied, with a steady voice, 'you have too kind a heart to consign to a disappointed life one who loves you so devotedly.'
I suppose I had; for, after that, he had the impudence to assure me that I was engaged to him.
'Providence seems to smile upon us,' observed my convalescing patient, the next morning; 'read this, Isabel.'
The formidable looking document was placed in my hand, and I learned that Lieutenant Elihu Summers, for gallant conduct at the battle of Bull Run, was promoted to the rank of colonel.