"I'm afraid it will be some time before you will be strong enough to move from this room, although you're improving each day." "Oh, will it ?" said Fritz triumphantly; "that's all you know about it, young lady! Why, Doctor Carl said this morning that he thought I would be able to report myself fit for duty in another week." "I suppose you'll rejoice to get back to your friends and comrades in the regiment?
You must find it miserable and dull enough in this place!" "No, not quite that.

I've been very happy and comfortable here the last few days; and I shall never forget all your kindness and care of me--no, never!" "Don't speak of that, pray; it's only what any one else would have done in my place.

Besides," she added demurely, "you know that in attending to you as a wounded soldier, I have only been carrying out the orders of the baroness, my employer." "Hang the fussy old thing!" said Fritz impatiently trying to shrug his shoulders.

He had had the honour of one interview with Madaleine's distinguished patroness, and did not crave for another; for, she had a good deal of that old-fashioned, starched formality which the German nobility affect, mixed up with a fidgety, condescending, patronising manner which much annoyed the generous-minded young fellow.

He burned with indignation all the time the visit of the old lady to him had lasted, for she ordered Madaleine to do this and corrected her for doing that, in, as he thought, the rudest manner possible.