Peggy from Kerry by L.T. Meade

For several days there was nothing talked of in the school but Peggy Desmond and her serious injury. Peggy herself was so ill that for a long time the doctor was anxious about her; he said the child had received a most curious shock that he could not possibly account for, and that the shock was as bad for her as the injury to the leg. After the first week, however, Peggy slowly began to mend, and then her recovery became rapid. Her greatest pleasure at this time was to have little Elisabeth in the room-dear little innocent Elisabeth, who knew nothing, who liked to sit by Peggy's side and rattle off her pretty little ideas for Peggy to listen to. The girl loved the child, and the child loved the girl. Molly also came constantly to see Peggy, and one day the Irish girl's eyes brightened and almost filled with tears when Mrs. Fleming entered the room, accompanied by Mr. Wyndham. It was impossible for Peggy even to imagine how glad she would be to see Mr. Wyndham again. The colour rushed into her little face, then left it white as a sheet.

"Why, Peggy, my child, you have been in the wars! " he said; and then he stooped and kissed her, and sat down by her bedside, holding her hand. Mrs. Fleming had had a long talk with him, and, on purpose, she left him alone with Peggy.