Soon the summoned Dr. Mountand arrived, and once he confirmed that it was safe enough to move the unconscious man, Constance had several of her neighbors assist in moving him up to his bed in her home. There, Dr. Mountand assessed D'Artagnan and seemed most concerned about his unconscious state.
In the room with the doctor was Constance and her husband, Jacques, who simply kept shaking his head, not in concern, but as if to say, why does this young man continue to cause such a ruckus in my home?
As the doctor gently tapped D'Artagnan on his cheeks, he said, "He has medium head trauma, and will be sore tomorrow for sure, but no bones seem to be broken.
"However I wish to stay with him until he awakens, in order to assess his level of sensibility. He might have a major concussion and that is a concern."
"Of course, Doctor; anything you need," Constane replied.
Then, to her husband, "I should really let Athos know what has occurred, so that-"
Jacques interrupted her, suddenly angry. "Not until you fetch me my dinner and help me with my materials inventory. You promised tonight that you would catalog the fabrics and colors I need for the Rousseau job I have in a few weeks."
"But D'Artagnan is hurt! Athos would want to-"
"D'Artagnan this! D'Artagnan that! Isn't it bad enough that he caused a ruckus a few nights ago here, leading three Musketeers to threaten me in my own home? Now you seek to rush out unescorted through the streets to call on one of them for this miscreant?"
"You can escort me, you know."
"And why would I waste my time doing that?" He then began walking out of the room. As he departed he commanded his wife, his back to her: "Dinner. Then get to work."
As soon as a fuming Constance was finishing dinner and serving her husband, she returned to D'Artagnan's room.
She exhaled a breath when she saw the Gascon's eyes open, albeit half-mast at best.
"He's awake," she proclaimed with relief.
"Yes, thank goodness," the doctor replied.
"How bad is it? Will he be alright?"
"He has a nasty lump on his head, so the next twenty-four hours will be critical, but assuming that he stays awake and doesn't sleep for too long, he should be well soon," Doctor Mountand replied.
"I'll make sure of it," Constance promised.
"Who-who's staying awake?" D'Artagnan asked, as if drunk.
"You are, my fine troublemaker," Constance replied with a smile.
D'Artagnan, eyes shut again, simply frowned and moaned in protest. "Ummm, no, I just want to sleep now…" he said, pulling the covers up on himself.
The doctor smiled and said, "Alright, for now." Then, to Constance, "He did admit to being nauseous to me, so I suggest a bucket nearby in case he needs to empty his stomach of its contents. If he does, it is not a cause for concern, unless it is chronic and he does so all night. If so, I believe you know where I live; come call on me any time."
"I do, and thank you, Doctor," Constance said, as she showed him out.
Suddenly she realized that she had no idea who had done this to D'Artagnan-was he still in danger?
She surmised that they either left him because they were done with him, or left him for dead. Either way, she hoped his trouble was at an end- provided he continued to recover.
She then announced to Jacques that she needed to stay with D'Artagnan that night, as the doctor prescribed that someone watch him and wake him periodically. When he proceeded to protest, she reminded him that someone had to do it, and since he forbade her from seeking Athos, the job was hers. Jacques relented when she agreed that while on watch, she could work on his damned materials inventory.
God, sometimes she hated her husband.