' She cleared her throat with an important cough,
and Macgregor hoped none of the other chaps in the ward were
listening. 'I am exceedingly proud of you, Macgregor!'
'Me? What for?'
'Ah, do not distimulate, my boy; do not be too modest. You have
saved a comrade's life! It was magneeficent!'
'Eh?'
'Oh, I know all about it--how you protected your friend William
with your wounded body----'
Macgregor's hand went to his head. 'I suppose I'm sober,' he
muttered. 'Wha was stuffin' ye wi' a' this, Aunt Purdie?'
Aunt Purdie's manner was almost sprightly as she whispered--
'Your betrothed!'
'Ma what?'
'Christina, her own self, told me. So there you are, young man!'
Macgregor's head wagged feebly on the pillow. 'There's a bonny
mix-up somewhaur,' he said; 'it was Wullie saved ma life.' Then,
with an effort--'When did ye see her?'
'Now understand, Macgregor, there must be no excitement. You must
keep calm. I am doing my best to break it gently. H'm, h'm! As a
matter of fac', I seen--saw--your fiancy about ten minutes ago.'
She is without!'
'Wi'oot what?'
'She is in an adjacent apartment.'
'Here?'
'I am going to despatch her to you now,' said Aunt Purdie, enjoying
herself thoroughly. 'But mind!--no deleterious excitement!' She
rose with a look on her gaunt face which he had never seen before.
'Aunt Purdie,' he whispered, 'did she want to come?'
'My dear nephew, without exaggeration I may say that she fairly
jamp--jumped--at my invitation I Well, I'll see you subsequently.
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