It was an hour later when Celeste reappeared. She had changed out of her blood stained uniform and washed the blood from her face and hands. She was dressed in a black silk dress and her hair was left down.

Aramis stood when she appeared into the doorway. He came over to her slowly.

She looked at him. "Have they said anything?"

"Nothing."

"How long has it been?"

"Only about an hour," said Aramis gently.

"What if he…"

"Don't even think about that," said Aramis. He led her over and set her down in his chair.

She folded her hands in her lap and simply looked at the doors.

Anne came over to her. "Celeste?"

Celeste didn't take her eyes from the doors. Her face was pale.

Anne knelt next to her chair. "Celeste?"

Celeste looked at her. Her eyes filled with tears. "There was so much blood, Anne," she whispered brokenly.

Anne took her hand and held it tightly. "Celeste, if you give up hope, I don't know what I shall do."

The doors opened and the doctor came out. He quietly shut the doors behind himself and then he turned and faced them.

Anne slowly let go of Celeste's hand and stood.

Celeste looked at him and rose slowly to her feet. "Does he live?"

The doctor looked at her. He came over to her and smiled. "Yes. He lives. And he is well."

Celeste almost fell to the floor with relief.

Aramis caught her and kept her from falling.

"He'll be a bit weak from blood loss and his arm may be stiff for about a month," said the doctor. "But other than that, he's fine. He's resting now."

"Can I go to him?" asked Celeste.

The kindly doctor smiled and nodded. "Of course."

Celeste hurried into the room.

Louis started to go but noticed his mother. She was leaving the room. "Mother?"

Anne turned.

"Where are you going?"

"To offer my thanks to God."

Celeste fell to her knees next to the bed. "D'Artagnan," she whispered. She buried her face in her hands and began to weep with relief. She took D'Artagnan's hand and cried as though her heart would break.

"Celeste, you mustn't cry," said Louis gently. He knelt next to her and put his arm around her.

"Yes, you mustn't cry."