It was necessary to take him out of the forest, where no assistance could be had.  With great care, and frequent pauses, they at last reached the open country.  There the strength of Ireneus completely gave way, his wounds bleeding, and his limbs failing him.  One of his companions took off his vest, laid it on the ground, and assisted Ireneus to stretch himself on it, with touching kindness of heart and solicitude.  The other ran toward the high-road, and seeing a car loaded with hay, induced the driver by tears, threats and promises to come to Ireneus’s aid.  They placed him in it, and thus went to the village.

When there, one of the hunters sent for his wife, and said: 

“Go, fast as you can, to M. de Vermondans, and say that his nephew is ll, but in no danger, and hurry back to prepare the table.  We have made a famous hunt.  To-morrow we will have the bear-feast.”

The old gentleman, when he heard the news, hurried to his nephew.  Then Looking into the huntsman’s face, he passed his hand over Ireneus’s body.

“Nothing serious, that is good.”

Soon after came Ebba, pale and trembling, who, when she saw her cousin’s blood, fell half dead in her father’s arms.

The physician said that the wounds of the young officer were trifling.  He, however, enjoined a few days of rest and repose.

Immediately, on hearing of the accident, Eric and Alete hurried to see Ireneus, evincing the tenderest sympathy for him.  M. de Vermondans, by his assiduous care, proved how he loved his nephew.  He also gave the two preservers a munificent reward.

Ebba seemed completely crushed.  Her sister found her seated in a chair, with her eye fixed, her lips motionless, and her face pale.  Completely wrapped in thought, the young girl did not rouse, except at the sound of Ireneus’s name, and when she heard the various reports of the physician.  Often, during the day, she went to the invalid’s chamber, passing timidly up the steps, and placing her ear to the door.  She would then to her father, and sink again into her morbid sadness.

One night, when the nurse who sat with him had seen him sink to sleep and retired, the young officer awoke under the impression that a delicate hand was passed lightly over his forehead.  He opened his eyes, and saw the shadow of a woman flit behind the curtains.  It was Ebba, who, unable even to sleep at night, had furtively come, when she thought no one would be aware of it, to be certain that his medicine was prepared, and to look into his position.

Through the care of the physician and the affectionate friends who surrounded him, Ireneus regained his strength.

The day he returned to the table was a very festival.  M. de Vermondans had invited his daughter, son-in-law, the doctor, and the two huntsmen to dine with him.  The latter brought the skin of the bear they had killed, and which they wished to present to their less fortunate companion.