"I think you are right, Bathurst; if the Oude men hold together,
the Sepoys will scarcely risk a breach with them. Whether he will
be able to secure our safety afterwards is another thing."
"I quite see that, Major; but it seems to me that we have no option
but to accept his offer and hope for the best."
"That is it," the Doctor agreed. "It is certain death if we don't
surrender; there is a chance that he will be able to protect us if
we do. At any rate, we can be no worse off than we are here."
Isobel had been in with Mrs. Doolan nursing the sick children when
Bathurst arrived, but they presently came out. Isobel shook hands
with him without speaking.
"We are all heavily indebted to you, Mr. Bathurst," Mrs. Doolan
said. "If we escape from this, it will be to you that we humanly
owe our lives."
She spoke in a voice that all in the room could hear.
"Your are right, Mrs. Doolan," the Doctor said; "and I think that
there are some who must regret now the manner in which they have
behaved to Bathurst since this siege began."
"I do for one," Captain Doolan said, coming forward.
"I have regretted it for some time, though I have not had the
manliness to say so. I am heartily sorry. I have done you a great
and cruel injustice. I ought to have known that the Doctor, who
knew you vastly better than I did, was not likely to be mistaken.
Putting that aside, I ought to have seen, and I did see, though
I would not acknowledge it even to myself, that no man has borne
himself more calmly and steadfastly through this siege than you
have, and that by twice venturing out among the enemy you gave
proof that you possessed as much courage as any of us.
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