Attheendoftheweekhesatdownandconsideredhiscasequitecalmly。Forthreeyearshehadlovedthisgirl，deeplyandtenderly。Hehadbeenlover，brother，friend，andguardian。
Duringthattime，eventhoughshehadacceptedhimineverycapacityexceptasthatoftheprospectivehusband，shehadnevergivenhimanyrealaffection，norsympathy，norhelp;allshehaddoneforhimhadbeendonewithoutherknowledgeorintent。Toknowher，toloveher，andtoschemetogiveherpleasurehadbeenitsownreward，andtheonlyone。Forthelastfewmonthshehadbeenlivinglikeacrossing-sweeperinordertobeabletostayinLondonuntilshecamebacktoit，andthathemightstillsendherthegiftshehadalwayslaidonheraltar。Hehadnotseenherinthreemonths。Threemonthsthathadbeentohimablank，exceptforhiswork——whichlikeallelsethathedid，wasinspiredandcarriedonforher。Nowatlastshehadreturnedandhadshownthat，evenasafriend，hewasofsolittleaccountinherthoughts，ofsolittleconsequenceinherlife，thatafterthislongabsenceshehadnodesiretolearnofhiswelfareortoseehim——shedidnotevengivehimthechancetoseeher。Andso，placingthesefactsbeforehimforthefirsttimesincehehadlovedher，heconsideredwhatwasduetohimself。"Wasitgoodenough？"heasked。"Wasitjustthatheshouldcontinuetowearouthissoulandbodyforthisgirlwhodidnotwantwhathehadtogive，whotreatedhimlessconsideratelythanamanwhomshemetforthefirsttimeatdinner？Hefelthehadreachedthebreaking-point;thatthetimehadcomewhenhemustconsiderwhatheowedtohimself。TherecouldneverbeanyotherwomansaveHelen，butasitwasnottobeHelen，hecouldnolonger，withself-respect，continuetoprofferhisloveonlytoseeitslightedandneglected。Hewashumbleenoughconcerninghimself，butofhislovehewasveryproud。Othermencouldgivehermoreinwealthorposition，butnoonecouldeverloveherashedid。
"Hethathathmorelethimgive，"hehadoftenquotedtoherdefiantly，asthoughhewerechallengingtheworld，andnowhefelthemustevolveamake-shiftworldofhisown——aworldinwhichshewasnothisonlyspringofacts;hemustbeginalloveragainandkeephislovesecretandsacreduntilsheunderstooditandwantedit。Andifsheshouldneverwantithewouldatleasthavesaveditfrommanyrebuffsandinsults。
Withthisdeterminationstronginhim，thenoteHelenhadleftforhimafterhertalkwithMarion，andtheflowers，andthenotewiththem，sayingshewascomingtotaketeaonthemorrow，failedtomovehimexcepttomakehimmorebitter。Hesawinthemonlyatardyrecognitionofherneglect——anefforttomakeuptohimforthoughtlessnesswhich，fromher，hurthimworsethanstudiedslight。
Anewregimehadbegun，andhewasdeterminedtoestablishitfirmlyandtomakeitimpossibleforhimselftoretreatfromit;
andinthenoteinwhichhethankedHelenfortheflowersandwelcomedhertotea，hedeclaredhisultimatum。
"YouknowhowterriblyIfeel，"hewrote;"Idon’thavetotellyouthat，butIcannotalwaysgoondraggingoutmyloveandholdingituptoexciteyourpityasbeggarsshowtheirsores。I
cannotalwaysgoonprayingbeforeyouraltar，cuttingmyselfwithknivesandcallinguponyoutolistentome。Youknowthatthereisnooneelsebutyou，andthattherenevercanbeanyonebutyou，andthatnothingischangedexceptthatafterthisIamnotgoingtourgeandtormentyou。IshallwaitasI
havealwayswaited——onlynowIshallwaitinsilence。Youknowjusthowlittle，inoneway，Ihavetoofferyou，andyouknowjusthowmuchIhaveinlovetoofferyou。Itisnowforyoutospeak——someday，ornever。Butyouwillhavetospeakfirst。
Youwillneverhearawordoflovefrommeagain。Whyshouldyou？Youknowitisalwayswaitingforyou。Butifyoushouldeverwantit，youmustcometome，andtakeoffyourhatandputitonmytableandsay，’Philip，Ihavecometostay。’Whetheryoucaneverdothatornotcanmakenodifferenceinmyloveforyou。Ishallloveyoualways，asnomanhaseverlovedawomaninthisworld，butitisyouwhomustspeakfirst;forme，therestissilence。"
ThefollowingmorningasHelenwasleavingthehouseshefoundthisletterlyingonthehall-table，andranbackwithittoherrooms。Aweekbeforeshewouldhaveletitlieonthetableandreaditonherreturn。Shewasconsciousthatthiswaswhatshewouldhavedone，anditpleasedhertofindthatwhatconcernedPhilipwasnowtoherthethingofgreatestinterest。
Shewaspleasedwithherowneagerness——herownhappinesswasawelcomesign，andshewasproudandgladthatshewaslearningtocare。
Shereadtheletterwithananxiousprideandpleasureineachwordthatwasentirelynew。Philip’srecriminationsdidnothurther，theywerethesignthathecared;nordidhisdeterminationnottospeakofhislovetoherhurther，forshebelievedhimwhenhesaidthathewouldalwayscare。Shereadthelettertwice，andthensatforsometimeconsideringthekindofletterPhilipwouldhavewrittenhadheknownhersecret——hadheknownthattheringhehadabandonedwasnowuponherfinger。
Sheroseand，crossingtoadesk，placedtheletterinadrawer，andthentookitoutagainandre-readthelastpage。Whenshehadfinisheditshewassmiling。Foramomentshestoodirresolute，andthen，movingslowlytowardthecentre-table，castaguiltylookaboutherand，raisingherhands，liftedherveilandhalfwithdrewthepinsthatfastenedherhat。
"Philip，"shebeganinafrightenedwhisper，"Ihave——Ihavecometo——"
Thesentenceendedinacryofprotest，andsherushedacrosstheroomasthoughshewererunningfromherself。Shewasblushingviolently。
"Never！"shecried，asshepulledopenthedoor;"Icouldneverdoit——never！"
Thefollowingafternoon，whenHelenwastocometotea，Carrolldecidedthathewouldreceiveherwithalltheoldfriendliness，butthathemustbecarefultosubdueallemotion。
Hewasreallydeeplyhurtathertreatment，andhaditnotbeenthatshecameonherowninvitationhewouldnotofhisownaccordhavesoughttoseeher。Inconsequence，heratherwelcomedthanotherwisethearrivalofMarionCavendish，whocameahalf-hourbeforeHelenwasexpected，andwhofollowedahastyknockwithaprecipitateentrance。
"Sitdown，"shecommandedbreathlessly;"andlisten。I’vebeenatrehearsalallday，orI’dhavebeenherebeforeyouwereawake。"SheseatedherselfnervouslyandnoddedherheadatCarrollinanexcitedandmysteriousmanner。
"Whatisit？"heasked。"HaveyouandReggie——"
"Listen，"Marionrepeated，"ourfortunesaremade;thatiswhat’sthematter——andI’vemadethem。IfyoutookhalftheinterestinyourworkIdo，you’dhavemadeyourslongago。Lastnight，"shebeganimpressively，"IwenttoalargesupperattheSavoy，andI
satnexttoCharleyWimpole。Hecameinlate，aftereverybodyhadfinished，andIattackedhimwhilehewaseatinghissupper。
Hesaidhehadbeenrehearsing’Caste’aftertheperformance;
thatthey’veputitonasastop-gaponaccountofthefailureofthe’Triflers，’andthatheknewrevivalswereofnouse;thathewouldgiveanysumforagoodmoderncomedy。Thatwasmycue，andItoldhimIknewofabettercomedythananyhehadproducedathistheatreinfiveyears，andthatitwasgoingbegging。Helaughed，andaskedwherewashetofindthiswonderfulcomedy，andIsaid，’It’sbeeninyoursafeforthelasttwomonthsandyouhaven’treadit。’Hesaid，’Indeed，howdoyouknowthat？’andIsaid，’Becauseifyou’dreadit，itwouldn’tbeinyoursafe，butonyourstage。’Soheaskedmewhattheplaywasabout，andItoldhimtheplotandwhatsortofaparthiswas，andsomeofhisscenes，andhebegantotakenotice。Heforgothissupper，andverysoonhegrewsointerestedthatheturnedhischairroundandkepteyingmysupper-cardtofindoutwhoI
was，andatlastrememberedseeingmein’TheNewBoy’——andarottenpartitwas，too——butherememberedit，andhetoldmetogoonandtellhimmoreaboutyourplay。SoIrecitedit，bitbybit，andhelaughedinalltherightplacesandgotverymuchexcited，andsaidfinallythathewouldreaditthefirstthingthismorning。"Marionpaused，breathlessly。"Oh，yes，andhewroteyouraddressonhiscuff，"sheadded，withtheairofdeliveringacompleteandconvincingclimax。
Carrollstaredatherandpulledexcitedlyonhispipe。
"Oh，Marion！"hegasped，"supposeheshould？Hewon’tthough，"headded，buteyinghereagerlyandinvitingcontradiction。
"Hewill，"sheanswered，stoutly，"ifhereadsit。"
"Theothermanagersreadit，"Carrollsuggested，doubtfully。
"Yes，butwhatdotheyknow？"Marionreturned，loftily。"Heknows。CharlesWimpoleistheonlyintelligentactor-managerinLondon。"
Therewasasharpknockatthedoor，whichMarioninherexcitementhadleftajar，andPrentissthrewitwideopenwithanimpressivesweep，asthoughhewereannouncingroyalty："Mr。
CharlesWimpole，"hesaid。
Theactor-managerstoppedinthedoorwaybowinggracefully，hishatheldbeforehimandhishandonhisstickasthoughitwererestingonafoil。HehadthefaceandcarriageofagallantofthedaysofCongreve，andheworehismodernfrock-coatwithasmuchdistinctionasifitwereofsilkandlace。Hewasevidentlyamused。"Icouldn’thelpoverhearingthelastline，"
hesaid，smiling。"Itgivesmeagoodentrance。"
Mariongazedathimblankly："Oh，"shegasped，"we——we——werejusttalkingaboutyou。"
"Ifyouhadn’tmentionedmyname，"theactorsaid，"Ishouldneverhaveguessedit。AndthisisMr。Carroll，Ihope。"
Thegreatmanwasratherpleasedwiththesituation。Ashereadit，itstruckhimaspossessingstrongdramaticpossibilities：
Carrollwasthestrugglingauthoronthevergeofstarvation：
Marion，hissweetheart，flyingtohimgavehimhope;andhewasthegoodfairyarrivinginthenickoftimetoseteverythingrightandtomaketheyoungpeoplehappyandprosperous。Heratherfanciedhimselfinthepartofthegoodfairy，andasheseatedhimselfhebowedtothembothinamannerwhichwascharminglyinclusiveandconfidential。
"MissCavendish，Iimagine，hasalreadywarnedyouthatyoumightexpectavisitfromme，"hesaidtentatively。Carrollnodded。
Hewastoomuchconcernedtointerrupt。
"ThenIneedonlytellyou，"Wimpolecontinued，"thatIgotupatanabsurdhourthismorningtoreadyourplay;thatIdidreadit;thatIlikeitimmensely——andthatifwecancometotermsIshallproduceitIshallproduceitatonce，withinafortnightorthreeweeks。"
CarrollwasstaringathimintentlyandcontinueddoingsoafterWimpolehadfinishedspeaking。Theactorfelthehadsomehowmissedhispoint，orthatCarrollcouldnothaveunderstoodhim，andrepeated，"IsayIshallputitinrehearsalatonce。"
Carrollroseabruptly，andpushedbackhischair。"Ishouldbeveryglad，"hemurmured，andstrodeovertothewindow，wherehestoodwithhisbackturnedtohisguests。Wimpolelookedafterhimwithakindlysmileandnoddedhisheadappreciatively。Hehadproducedevenagreatereffectthanhislinesseemedtowarrant。Whenhespokeagain，itwasquitesimply，andsincerely，andthoughhespokeforCarroll’sbenefit，headdressedhimselftoMarion。
"Youwerequiterightlastnight，"hesaid，"itisamostcharmingpieceofwork。Iamreallyextremelygratefultoyouforbringingittomynotice。"Herose，andgoingtoCarroll，puthishandonhisshoulder。"Myboy，"hesaid，"I
congratulateyou。Ishouldliketobeyourage，andtohavewrittenthatplay。Cometomytheatreto-morrowandwewilltalkterms。Talkitoverfirstwithyourfriends，sothatIsha’n’trobyou。Doyouthinkyouwouldpreferalumpsumnow，andsobedonewithitaltogether，ortrustthattheroyaltiesmay——"
"Royalties，"promptedMarion，inaneageraside。
Themenlaughed。"Quiteright，"Wimpoleassented，good-
humoredly;"it’sapoorsportsmanwhodoesn’tbackhisownhorse。
Well，then，untilto-morrow。"
"But，"Carrollbegan，"onemomentplease。Ihaven’tthankedyou。"
"Mydearboy，"criedWimpole，wavinghimawaywithhisstick，"itisIwhohavetothankyou。"
"And——andthereisacondition，"Carrollsaid，"whichgoeswiththeplay。ItisthatMissCavendishistohavethepartofNancy。"
Wimpolelookedseriousandconsideredforamoment。
"Nancy，"hesaid，"thegirlwhointerferes——averygoodpart。
IhavecastMissMaddoxforitinmymind，but，ofcourse，iftheauthorinsists——"
Marion，withherelbowsonthetable，claspedherhandsappealinglybeforeher。
"Oh，Mr。Wimpole！"shecried，"youowemethat，atleast。"
CarrollleanedoverandtookbothofMarion’shandsinoneofhis。
"It’sallright，"hesaid;"theauthorinsists。"
Wimpolewavedhisstickagainasthoughitwerethemagicwandofthegoodfairy。
"Youshallhaveit，"hesaid。"Irecallyourperformancein’TheNewBoy’withpleasure。Itaketheplay，andMissCavendishshallbecastforNancy。Weshallbeginrehearsalsatonce。I
hopeyouareaquickstudy。"
"I’mletter-perfectnow{，}"laughedMarion。
Wimpoleturnedatthedoorandnoddedtothem。Theywerebothsoyoung，soeager，andsojubilantthathefeltstrangelyoldandoutofit。"Good-by，then，"hesaid。
"Good-by，sir，"theybothchorussed。AndMarioncriedafterhim，"Andthankyouathousandtimes。"
Heturnedagainandlookedbackatthem，butintheirrejoicingtheyhadalreadyforgottenhim。"Blessyou，mychildren，"hesaid，smiling。Ashewasabouttoclosethedoorayounggirlcamedownthepassagetowardit，andasshewasapparentlygoingtoCarroll’srooms，theactorleftthedooropenbehindhim。
NeitherMarionnorCarrollhadnoticedhisfinalexit。Theywerebothgazingateachotherasthough，couldtheyfindspeech，theywouldaskifitweretrue。
"It’scomeatlast，Marion，"Philipsaid，withanuncertainvoice。
"Icouldweep，"criedMarion。"Philip，"sheexclaimed，"Iwouldratherseethatplaysucceedthananyplayeverwritten，andI
wouldratherplaythatpartinitthan——Oh，Philip，"sheended。
"I’msoproudofyou！"andrising，shethrewherarmsabouthisneckandsobbedonhisshoulder。
Carrollraisedoneofherhandsandkissedthetipsofherfingersgently。"Ioweittoyou，Marion，"hesaid——"alltoyou。"
ThiswasthetableauthatwaspresentedthroughtheopendoortoMissHelenCabot，hurryingonhererrandofrestitutionandgood-
will，andwithPhilip’sringandwatchclaspedinherhand。Theyhadnotheardher，nordidtheyseeheratthedoor，soshedrewbackquicklyandranalongthepassageanddownthestairsintothestreet。
Shedidnotneednowtoanalyzeherfeelings。Theywereonlytooevident。Forshecouldtranslatewhatshehadjustseenasmeaningonlyonething——thatshehadconsideredPhilip’slovesolightlythatshehadnotfeltitpassingawayfromheruntilherneglecthadkilledit——untilitwastoolate。Andnowthatitwastoolateshefeltthatwithoutitherlifecouldnotgoon。
Shetriedtoassureherselfthatonlythefactthatshehadlostitmadeitseeminvaluable，butthisthoughtdidnotcomforther——shewasnotdeceivedbyit，sheknewthatatlastshecaredforhimdeeplyandentirely。Inherdistresssheblamedherselfbitterly，butshealsoblamedPhilipnolessbitterlyforhavingfailedtowaitforher。"HemighthaveknownthatImustlovehimintime，"sherepeatedtoherselfagainandagain。ShewassounhappythatherlettercongratulatingPhiliponhisgoodfortuneinhavinghiscomedyacceptedseemedtohimcoldandunfeeling，andashissuccessmeantforhimonlywhatitmeanttoher，hewashurtandgrievouslydisappointed。
HeaccordinglyturnedthemorereadilytoMarion，whoseinterestsandenthusiasmattherehearsalsofthepieceseemedincontrastmostfriendlyandunselfish。Hecouldnothelpbutcomparetheattitudeofthetwogirlsatthistime，whenthefailureorsuccessofhisbestworkwasstillundecided。HefeltthatasHelentooksolittleinterestinhissuccesshecouldnotdaretotroubleherwithhisanxietiesconcerningit，andsheattributedhissilencetohispreoccupationandinterestinMarion。Sothetwogrewapart，eachmisunderstandingtheotherandeachtroubledinspiritattheother’sindifference。
ThefirstnightoftheplayjustifiedallthatMarionandWimpolehadclaimedforit，andwasagreatpersonaltriumphforthenewplaywright。Theaudiencewasthetypicalfirst-nightaudienceoftheclasswhichCharlesWimpolealwayscommanded。Itwasbrilliant，intelligent，andsmart，anditcamepreparedtobepleased。
Fromoneoftheupperstage-boxesHelenandLadyGowerwatchedthesuccessfulprogressoftheplaywithananxietyalmostaskeenasthatoftheauthor。ToHelenitseemedasthoughthegivingoftheselinestothepublic——theselineswhichhehadsooftenreadtoher，andalteredtoherliking——wasadesecration。
Itseemedasthoughshewerelosinghimindeed——asthoughhenowbelongedtothesestrangepeople，allofwhomwerelaughingandapplaudinghiswords，fromtheGermanPrincessintheRoyalboxtothestraight-backedTommyinthepit。Insteadofthepaintedscenebeforeher，shesawthebirch-treesbytheriverathome，wherehehadfirstreadherthespeechtowhichtheywerenowlisteningsointensely——thespeechinwhichtheherotellsthegirlhelovesher。Sherememberedthatatthetimeshehadthoughthowwonderfulitwouldbeifsomedaysomeonemadesuchaspeechtoher——notPhilip——butamansheloved。Andnow？
IfPhilipwouldonlymakethatspeechtohernow！
Hecameoutatlast，withWimpoleleadinghim，andbowedacrossaglaringbarrieroflightsatamistybutvociferousaudiencethatwasshoutingthegenerousEnglishbravo！andstandinguptoapplaud。HeraisedhiseyestotheboxwhereHelensat，andsawherstaringdownatthetumult，withherhandsclaspedunderherchin。Herfacewascolorless，butlitwiththeexcitementofthemoment;andhesawthatshewascrying。
LadyGower，frombehindher，wasclappingherhandsdelightedly。
"But，mydearHelen，"sheremonstratedbreathlessly，"younevertoldmehewassogood-looking。"
"Yes，"saidHelen，risingabruptly，"heis——verygood-looking。"
Shecrossedtheboxtowherehercloakwashanging，butinsteadoftakingitdownburiedherfaceinitsfolds。
"Mydearchild！"criedLadyGower，indismay。"Whatisit？Theexcitementhasbeentoomuchforyou。"
"No，Iamjusthappy，"sobbedHelen。"Iamjusthappyforhim。"
"Wewillgoandtellhimsothen，"saidLadyGower。"Iamsurehewouldliketohearitfromyouto-night。"
Philipwasstandinginthecentreofthestage，surroundedbymanyprettyladiesandelderlymen。Wimpolewashoveringoverhimasthoughhehadclaimsuponhimbytherightofdiscovery。
ButwhenPhilipsawHelen，hepushedhiswaytowardhereagerlyandtookherhandinbothofhis。
"Iamsoglad，Phil，"shesaid。Shefeltitallsodeeplythatshewasafraidtosaymore，butthatmeantsomuchtoherthatshewassurehewouldunderstand。
Hehadplanneditverydifferently。Forayearhehaddreamedthat，onthefirstnightofhisplay，therewouldbeasupper，andthathewouldriseanddrinkherhealth，andtellhisfriendsandtheworldthatshewasthewomanheloved，andthatshehadagreedtomarryhim，andthatatlasthewasable，throughthesuccessofhisplay，tomakeherhiswife。
Andnowtheymetinacrowdtoshakehands，andshewentherwaywithoneofhergrandladies，andhewasleftamongagroupofchatteringstrangers。ThegreatEnglishplaywrighttookhimbythehandandinthehearingofall，praisedhimgracefullyandkindly。ItdidnotmattertoPhilipwhethertheolderplaywrightbelievedwhathesaidornot;heknewitwasgenerouslymeant。
"Ienvyyouthis，"thegreatmanwassaying。"Don’tloseanyofit，stayandlistentoalltheyhavetosay。Youwillneverlivethroughthefirstnightofyourfirstplaybutonce。"
"Yes，Ihearthem，"saidPhilip，nervously;"theyarealltookind。ButIdon’thearthevoiceIhavebeenlisteningfor，"headdedinawhisper。Theoldermanpressedhishandagainquickly。"Mydearboy，"hesaid，"Iamsorry。"
"Thankyou，"Philipanswered。
Withinaweekhehadforgottenthegreatman’sfinewordsofpraise，buttheclaspofhishandhecherishedalways。
HelenmetMarionasshewasleavingthestagedoorandstoppedtocongratulateheronhersuccessinthenewpart。Marionwasradiant。ToHelensheseemedobstreperouslyhappyandjubilant。
"And，Marion，"Helenbeganbravely，"Ialsowanttocongratulateyouonsomethingelse。You——you——neitherofyouhavetoldmeyet，"shestammered，"butIamsuchanoldfriendofboththatI
willnotbekeptoutofthesecret。"AtthesewordsMarion’sairoftriumphantgayetyvanished;sheregardedHelen’stroubledeyescloselyandkindly。
"Whatsecret，Helen？"sheasked。
"IcametothedoorofPhilip’sroomtheotherdaywhenyoudidnotknowIwasthere，"Helenanswered;"andIcouldnothelpseeinghowmatterswere。AndIdocongratulateyouboth——andwishyou——oh，suchhappiness！"WithoutawordMariondraggedherbackdownthepassagetoherdressing-room，andclosedthedoor。
"Nowtellmewhatyoumean，"shesaid。
"IamsorryifIdiscoveredanythingyoudidn’twantknownyet，"
saidHelen，"butthedoorwasopen。Mr。Wimpolehadjustleftyouandhadnotshutit，andIcouldnothelpseeing。"
Marioninterruptedherwithaneagerexclamationofenlightenment。
"Oh，youwerethere，then，"shecried。"Andyou？"sheaskedeagerly——"youthoughtPhilcaredforme——thatweareengaged，andithurtyou;youaresorry？Tellme，"shedemanded，"areyousorry？"
Helendrewbackandstretchedoutherhandtowardthedoor。
"Howcanyou！sheexclaimed，indignantly。"Youhavenoright。"
Marionstoodbetweenherandthedoor。
"Ihaveeveryright，"shesaid，"tohelpmyfriends，andIwanttohelpyouandPhilip。AndindeedIdohopeyouAREsorry。
Ihopeyouaremiserable。AndI’mgladyousawmekisshim。
Thatwasthefirstandthelasttime，andIdiditbecauseIwashappyandgladforhim;andbecauseIlovehimtoo，butnotintheleastinthewayhelovesyou。Nooneeverlovedanyoneashelovesyou。Andit’stimeyoufounditout。AndifIhavehelpedtomakeyoufinditoutI’mglad，andIdon’tcarehowmuchIhurtyou。"
"Marion！"exclaimedHelen，"whatdoesitmean？Doyoumeanthatyouarenotengaged;that——"
"Certainlynot，"Marionanswered。"IamgoingtomarryReggie。
ItisyouthatPhiliploves，andIamverysorryforyouthatyoudon’tlovehim。"
HelenclaspedMarion’shandsinbothofhers。
"But，Marion！"shecried，"Ido，oh，Ido！"
Therewasathickyellowfogthenextmorning，andwithitrainandasticky，depressingdampnesswhichcreptthroughthewindow-
panes，andwhichneitherafirenorblazinggas-jetscouldovercome。
Philipstoodinfrontofthefireplacewiththemorningpaperspiledhighonthecentre-tableandscatteredovertheroomabouthim。
Hehadreadthemall，andheknewnowwhatitwastowakeupfamous，buthecouldnottasteit。Nowthatithadcomeitmeantnothing，andthatitwassocompleteatriumphonlymadeittheharder。Inhismostoptimisticdreamshehadneverimaginedsuccesssosatisfyingastherealityhadprovedtobe;butinhisdreamsHelenhadalwaysheldthechiefpart，andwithouther，successseemedonlytomockhim。
Hewantedtolayitallbeforeher，tosay，"Ifyouarepleased，Iamhappy。Ifyouaresatisfied，thenIamcontent。Itwasdoneforyou，andIamwhollyyours，andallthatIdoisyours。"
And，asthoughinanswertohisthoughts，therewasaninstantknockatthedoor，andHelenenteredtheroomandstoodsmilingathimacrossthetable。
Hereyeswerelitwithexcitement，andspokewithmanyemotions，andhercheekswerebrilliantwithcolor。Hehadneverseenherlookmorebeautiful。
"Why，Helen！"heexclaimed，"howgoodofyoutocome。Isthereanythingwrong？Isanythingthematter？"
Shetriedtospeak，butfaltered，andsmiledathimappealingly。
"Whatisit？"heaskedingreatconcern。
Helendrewinherbreathquickly，andatthesamemomentmotionedhimaway——andhesteppedbackandstoodwatchingherinmuchperplexity。
Withhereyesfixedonhissheraisedherhandstoherhead，andherfingersfumbledwiththeknotofherveil。Shepulleditloose，andthen，withasuddencourage，liftedherhatproudly，asthoughitwereacoronet，andplaceditbetweenthemonhistable。
"Philip，"shestammered，withthetearsinhervoiceandeyes，"ifyouwillletme——Ihavecometostay。"
Thetablewasnolongerbetweenthem。Hecaughtherinhisarmsandkissedherfaceandheruncoveredheadagainandagain。Fromoutsidetherainbeatdrearilyandthefogrolledthroughthestreet，butinsidebeforethefirethetwoyoungpeoplesatclosetogether，askingeagerquestionsorsittinginsilence，staringattheflameswithwondering，happyeyes。
TheLionandtheUnicornsawthemonlyonceagain。Itwasamonthlaterwhentheystoppedinfrontoftheshopinafour-
wheeler，withtheirbaggagemixedontopofit，andsteamer-
labelspastedovereverytrunk。
"And，oh，Prentiss！"Carrollcalledfromthecab-window。"Icamenearforgetting。IpromisedtogildtheLionandtheUnicornifIwonoutinLondon。Sohaveitdone，please，andsendthebilltome。ForI’vewonoutallright。"Andthenheshutthedoorofthecab，andtheydroveawayforever。
"Nicegal，that，"growledtheLion。"Ialwayslikedher。Iamgladthey’vesettleditatlast。"
TheUnicornsighed，sentimentally。"Theotherone’sworthtwoofher，"hesaid。
ONTHEFEVERSHIP
Therewerefourrailsaroundtheship’ssides，thethreeloweronesofironandtheoneontopofwood，andashelookedbetweenthemfromthecanvascotherecognizedthemastheprison-barswhichheldhimin。Outsidehisprisonlayastretchofblindingbluewaterwhichendedinalineofbreakersandayellowcoastwithraggedpalms。Beyondthatagainrosearangeofmountain-
peaks，and，stuckupontheloftiestpeakofall，atinyblock-
house。Itrestedonthebrowofthemountainagainstthenakedskyasimpudentlyasacracker-boxsetuponthedomeofagreatcathedral。
Asthetransportrodeonheranchor-chains，theironbarsaroundhersidesroseandsankanddividedthelandscapewithparallellines。Fromhiscottheofficerfollowedthisphenomenonwithsevere，painstakinginterest。Sometimesthewoodenrailsweptuptotheveryblock-houseitself，andforasecondoftimeblotteditfromsight。Andagainitsanktothelevelofthelineofbreakers，andwipedthemoutofthepictureasthoughtheywerealineofchalk。
Thesoldieronthecotpromisedhimselfthatthenextswelloftheseawouldsendthelowestrailclimbingtotheverytopofthepalm-treesor，evenhigher，tothebaseofthemountains;andwhenitfailedtoreacheventhepalm-treeshefeltadistinctsenseofilluse，ofhavingbeenwrongedbysomeone。Therewasnootherreasonforsubmittingtothisexistence，savethesetricksuponthewearisome，glaringlandscape;and，now，whoeveritwaswhowasworkingthemdidnotseemtobemakingthisefforttoentertainhimwithanyheartiness。
Itwasmostcruel。Indeed，hedecidedhotly，itwasnottobeendured;hewouldbearitnolonger，hewouldmakehisescape。
Butheknewthatthismove，whichcouldbeconceivedinamoment’sdesperation，couldonlybecarriedtosuccesswithgreatstrategy，secrecy，andcarefulcunning。Sohefellbackuponhispillowandclosedhiseyes，asthoughhewereasleep，andthenopeningthemagain，turnedcautiously，andspieduponhiskeeper。Asusual，hiskeepersatatthefootofthecotturningthepagesofahugepaperfilledwithpicturesofthewarprintedindaubsoftawdrycolors。Hiskeeperwasahard-facedboywithouthumanpityorconsideration，averydevilofobstinacyandfiendishcruelty。Tomakeitworse，thefiendwasapersonwithoutacollar，inasuitofsoiledkhaki，withacuriousredcrossboundbyasafety-pintohisleftarm。Hewasintentuponthepaperinhishands;hewasholdingitbetweenhiseyesandhisprisoner。Hisvigilancehadrelaxed，andthemomentseemedpropitious。Withasuddenplungeofarmsandlegs，theprisonersweptthebedsheetfromhim，andsprangatthewoodenrailandgraspedtheironstanchionbesideit。Hehadhiskneepressedagainstthetopbarandhisbaretoesontheironrailbeneathit。Belowhimthebluewaterwaitedforhim。Itwascoolanddarkandgentleanddeep。Itwouldcertainlyputoutthefireinhisbones，hethought;itmightevenshutouttheglareofthesunwhichscorchedhiseyeballs。
Butashebalancedfortheleap，aswiftweaknessandnauseasweptoverhim，aweightseizeduponhisbodyandlimbs。Hecouldnotliftthelowerfootfromtheironrail，andheswayeddizzilyandtrembled。Hetrembled。HewhohadracedhismenandbeatenthemupthehothilltothetrenchesofSanJuan。Butnowhewasababyinthehandsofagiant，whocaughthimbythewristandwithanironarmclaspedhimaroundhiswaistandpulledhimdown，andshouted，brutally，"Help，someofyou’se，quick;he’satitagain。Ican’tholdhim。"
Moregiantsgraspedhimbythearmsandbythelegs。Oneofthemtookthehandthatclungtothestanchioninbothofhis，andpulledbackthefingersonebyone，saying，"Easynow，Lieutenant——easy。"
Theraggedpalmsandtheseaandblock-housewereswallowedupinablackfog，andhisbodytouchedthecanvascotagainwithasenseofhome-comingandreliefandrest。Hewonderedhowhecouldhavecaredtoescapefromit。Hefounditsogoodtobebackagainthatforalongtimeheweptquitehappily，untilthefierypillowwasmoistandcool。
Theworldoutsideoftheironbarswaslikeasceneinatheatresetforsomegreatevent，buttheactorswereneverready。Herememberedconfusedlyaplayhehadoncewitnessedbeforethatsamescene。Indeed，hebelievedhehadplayedsomesmallpartinit;butheremembereditdimly，andalltraceofthemenwhohadappearedwithhiminitwasgone。Hehadreasoneditoutthattheywereuptherebehindtherangeofmountains，becausegreatheavywagonsandambulancesandcannonwereemptiedfromtheshipsatthewharfaboveandweredrawnawayinlonglinesbehindtheraggedpalms，movingalwaystowardthepassesbetweenthepeaks。Attimeshewasdisturbedbythethoughtthatheshouldbeupandafterthem，thatsometraditionofdutymadehispresencewiththemimperative。Therewasmuchtobedonebackofthemountains。Someeventofmomentousimportwasbeingcarriedforwardthere，inwhichheheldapart;butthedoubtsoonpassedfromhim，andhewascontenttolieandwatchtheironbarsrisingandfallingbetweentheblock-houseandthewhitesurf。
Iftheyhadbeenonlyhumanelykind，hislotwouldhavebeenbearable，buttheystarvedhimandheldhimdownwhenhewishedtorise;andtheywouldnotputoutthefireinthepillow，whichtheymighteasilyhavedonebythesimpleexpedientofthrowingitovertheship’ssideintothesea。Hehimselfhaddonethistwice，butthekeeperhadimmediatelybroughtafreshpillowalreadyheatedforthetortureandforceditunderhishead。
Hispleasureswereverysimple，andsofewthathecouldnotunderstandwhytheyrobbedhimofthemsojealously。Onewastowatchagreenclusterofbananasthathungabovehimfromtheawningtwirlingonastring。Hecouldcountasmanyofthemasfivebeforethebunchturnedandswunglazilybackagain，whenhecouldcountashighastwelve;sometimeswhentheshiprolledheavilyhecouldcounttotwenty。Itwasamostfascinatinggame，andcontentedhimformanyhours。Butwhentheyfoundthisouttheysentforthecooktocomeandcutthemdown，andthecookcarriedthemawaytohisgalley。
Then，oneday，amancameoutfromtheshore，swimmingthroughthebluewaterwithgreatsplashes。Hewasamostcharmingman，whosplutteredanddoveandtwistedandlayonhisbackandkickedhislegsinanexcessofcontentanddelight。Itwasarealpleasuretowatchhim;notfordayshadanythingsoamusingappearedontheothersideoftheprison-bars。Butassoonasthekeepersawthatthemaninthewaterwasamusinghisprisoner，heleanedovertheship’ssideandshouted，"Sa-ay，you，don’tyouknowthere’ssharksinthere？"
Andtheswimmingmansaid，"Theh——llthereis！"andracedbacktotheshorelikeaporpoisewithgreatlashingofthewater，andranupthebeachhalf-waytothepalmsbeforehewassatisfiedtostop。Thentheprisonerweptagain。Itwassodisappointing。
Lifewasrobbedofeverythingnow。Herememberedthatinapreviousexistencesoldierswhocriedwerelaughedatandmocked。
Butthatwassofarawayanditwassuchanabsurdsuperstitionthathehadnopatiencewithit。Forwhatcouldbemorecomfortingtoamanwhenheistreatedcruellythantocry。
Itwassoobviousanexercise，andwhenoneissofeeblethatonecannotvaultafour-railedbarrieritissomethingtofeelthatatleastoneisstrongenoughtocry。
Heescapedoccasionally，traversingspacewithmarvellousrapidityandtogreatdistances，butnevertoanysuccessfulpurpose;andhisflightinevitablyendedinignominiousrecaptureandasuddenawakeninginbed。Atthesemomentsthefamiliarandhatedpalms，thepeaksandtheblock-houseweremorehideousintheirrealitythanthemostterrifyingofhisnightmares。
Theseexcursionsafieldwerealwayspredatory;hewentforthalwaystoseekfood。Withallthebeautifulworldfromwhichtoelectandchoose，hesoughtoutonlythoseplaceswhereeatingwasstudiedandelevatedtoanart。Thesevisitsweremuchmorevividintheirdetailthananyhehadeverbeforemadetothesesameresorts。Theyinvariablybeganinacarriage，whichcarriedhimswiftlyoversmoothasphalt。Oneroutebroughthimacrossagreatandbeautifulsquare，radiatingwithrowsandrowsofflickeringlights;twofountainssplashedinthecentreofthesquare，andsixwomenofstoneguardeditsapproaches。Oneofthewomenwashungwithwreathsofmourning。Aheadofhimthelatetwilightdarkenedbehindagreatarch，whichseemedtoriseonthehorizonoftheworld，agreatwindowintotheheavensbeyond。Ateithersidestringsofwhiteandcoloredglobeshungamongthetrees，andthesoundofmusiccamejoyfullyfromtheatresintheopenair。Heknewtherestaurantunderthetreestowhichhewasnowhastening，andthefountainbesideit，andtheverysparrowsbalancingonthefountain’sedge;hekneweverywaiterateachofthetables，hefeltagainthegravelcrunchingunderhisfeet，hesawthemaitred’hotelcomingforwardsmilingtoreceivehiscommand，andthewaiterinthegreenapronbowingathiselbow，deferentialandimportant，presentingthelistofwines。Buthisadventureneverpassedthatpoint，forhewascapturedagainandoncemoreboundtohiscotwithacloseburningsheet。
Orelse，hedrovemoresedatelythroughtheLondonstreetsinthelateeveningtwilight，leaningexpectantlyacrossthedoorsofthehansomandpullingcarefullyathiswhitegloves。Otherhansomsflashedpasthim，theoccupantofeachwithhismindfixedononeidea——dinner。Hewasoneofamillionofpeoplewhowereabouttodine，orwhohaddined，orwhoweredeepindining。
Hewassofamished，soweakforfoodofanyquality，thatthegallopinghorseinthehansomseemedtocrawl。ThelightsoftheEmbankmentpassedlikethelampsofarailroadstationasseenfromthewindowofanexpress;andwhilehismindwasstilltornbetweenthechoiceofathinorthicksouporanimmediateattackuponcoldbeef，hewasatthedoor，andthechasseurtouchedhiscap，andthelittlechasseurputthewickerguardoverthehansom’swheel。Ashejumpedouthesaid，"Givehimhalf-a-
crown，"andthedrivercalledafterhim，"Thankyou，sir。"
Itwasabeautifulworld，thisworldoutsideoftheironbars。
Everyoneinitcontributedtohispleasureandtohiscomfort。
Inthisworldhewasnotstarvednormanhandled。Hethoughtofthisjoyfullyasheleapedupthestairs，whereyoungmenwithgravefacesandwiththeirhandsheldnegligentlybehindtheirbacksbowedtohiminpolitesurpriseathisspeed。Buttheyhadnotbeenstarvedoncondensedmilk。Hethrewhiscoatandhatatoneofthem，andcamedownthehallfearfullyandquiteweakwithdreadlestitshouldnotbereal。HisvoicewasshakingwhenheaskedEllisifhehadreservedatable。Theplacewasallsoreal，itmustbetruethistime。ThewayEllisturnedandranhisfingerdownthelistshoweditwasreal，becauseEllisalwaysdidthat，evenwhenheknewtherewouldnotbeanemptytableforanhour。Theroomwascrowdedwithbeautifulwomen;underthelightoftheredshadestheylookedkindandapproachable，andtherewasfoodoneverytable，andiceddrinksinsilverbuckets。
ItwaswiththejoyofgreatreliefthatheheardEllissaytohisunderling，"Numerocinq，surlaterrace，uncouvert。"Itwasrealatlast。Outside，theThameslayagreatgrayshadow。ThelightsoftheEmbankmentflashedandtwinkledacrossit，thetoweroftheHouseofCommonsroseagainstthesky，andhere，inside，thewaiterwashurryingtowardhimcarryingasmokingplateofrichsoupwithapungentintoxicatingodor。
Andthentheraggedpalms，theglaringsun，theimmovablepeaks，andthewhitesurfstoodagainbeforehim。Theironrailssweptupandsankagain，thefeversuckedathisbones，andthepillowscorchedhischeek。
Onemorningforabriefmomenthecamebacktoreallifeagainandlayquitestill，seeingeverythingabouthimwithcleareyesandforthefirsttime，asthoughhehadbutjustthatinstantbeenliftedovertheship’sside。Hiskeeper，glancingup，foundtheprisoner’seyesconsideringhimcuriously，andrecognizedthechange。Theinstinctofdisciplinebroughthimtohisfeetwithhisfingersathissides。
"IstheLieutenantfeelingbetter？"
TheLieutenantsurveyedhimgravely。
"Youareoneofourhospitalstewards。"
"Yes，Lieutenant。"
"Whyar’n’tyouwiththeregiment？"
"Iwaswounded，too，sir。Igotitsametimeyoudid，Lieutenant。"
"AmIwounded？Ofcourse，Iremember。Isthisahospitalship？"
Thestewardshruggedhisshoulders。"She’soneofthetransports。Theyhaveturnedherovertothefevercases。"
TheLieutenantopenedhislipstoaskanotherquestion;buthisownbodyansweredthatone，andforamomenthelaysilent。
"DotheyknowupNorththatI——thatI’mallright？"
"Oh，yes，thepapershaditin——therewaspicturesoftheLieutenantinsomeofthem。"
"ThenI’vebeenillsometime？"
"Oh，abouteightdays。"
Thesoldiermoveduneasily，andthenurseinhimbecameuppermost。
"IguesstheLieutenanthadn’tbettertalkanymore，"hesaid。
Itwashisvoicenowwhichheldauthority。
TheLieutenantlookedoutatthepalmsandthesilentgloomymountainsandtheemptycoast-line，wherethesamewavewasrisingandfallingwithwearypersistence。
"Eightdays，"hesaid。Hiseyesshutquickly，asthoughwithasuddentouchofpain。Heturnedhisheadandsoughtforthefigureatthefootofthecot。Alreadythefigurehadgrownfaintandwasrecedingandswaying。
"Hasanyonewrittenorcabled？"theLieutenantspoke，hurriedly。
Hewasfearfullestthefigureshoulddisappearaltogetherbeforehecouldobtainhisanswer。"Hasanyonecome？"
"Why，theycouldn’tgethere，Lieutenant，notyet。"
Thevoicecameveryfaintly。"Yougotosleepnow，andI’llrunandfetchsomelettersandtelegrams。Whenyouwakeup，maybeI’llhavealotforyou。"
ButtheLieutenantcaughtthenursebythewrist，andcrushedhishandinhisownthinfingers。Theywerehot，andleftthesteward’sskinwetwithperspiration。TheLieutenantlaughedgayly。
"Yousee，Doctor，"hesaid，briskly，"thatyoucan’tkillme。I
can’tdie。I’vegottolive，youunderstand。Because，sir，shesaidshewouldcome。ShesaidifIwaswounded，orifIwasill，shewouldcometome。Shedidn’tcarewhatpeoplethought。Shewouldcomeanywayandnurseme——well，shewillcome。
"So，Doctor——oldman——"Hepluckedatthesteward’ssleeve，andstrokedhishandeagerly，"oldman——"hebeganagain，beseechingly，"you’llnotletmedieuntilshecomes，willyou？
What？No，IknowIwon’tdie。Nothingmadebymancankillme。
No，notuntilshecomes。Then，afterthat——eightdays，she’llbeheresoon，anymoment？What？Youthinkso，too？Don’tyou？
Surely，yes，anymoment。Yes，I’llgotosleepnow，andwhenyouseeherrowingoutfromshoreyouwakeme。You’llknowher;youcan’tmakeamistake。Sheislike——no，thereisnoonelikeher——butyoucan’tmakeamistake。"
Thatdaystrangefiguresbegantomountthesidesoftheship，andtooccupyitseveryturnandangleofspace。Someofthemfellontheirkneesandslappedthebaredeckwiththeirhands，andlaughedandcriedout，"ThankGod，I’llseeGod’scountryagain！"Someofthemwereregulars，boundinbandages;somewerevolunteers，dirtyandhollow-eyed，withlongbeardsonboys’
faces。Somecameoncrutches;otherswiththeirarmsaroundtheshouldersoftheircomrades，staringaheadofthemwithafixedsmile，theirlipsdrawnbackandtheirteethprotruding。
Ateverysecondsteptheystumbled，andthefaceofeachwassweptbyswiftripplesofpain。
Theylayoncotssoclosetogetherthatthenursescouldnotwalkbetweenthem。Theylayonthewetdecks，inthescuppers，andalongthetransomsandhatches。Theywerelikeshipwreckedmarinersclingingtoaraft，andtheyaskednothingmorethanthattheship’sbowbeturnedtowardhome。Oncesatisfiedastothat，theyrelaxedintoastateofself-pityandmiserableobliviontotheirenvironment，fromwhichhungernornauseanorachingbonescouldshakethem。
ThehospitalstewardtouchedtheLieutenantlightlyontheshoulder。
"WearegoingNorth，sir，"hesaid。"Thetransport’sorderedNorthtoNewYork，withthesevolunteersandthesickandwounded。Doyouhearme，sir？"
TheLieutenantopenedhiseyes。"Hasshecome？"heasked。
"Gee！"exclaimedthehospitalsteward。Heglancedimpatientlyatthebluemountainsandtheyellowcoast，fromwhichthetransportwasdrawingrapidlyaway。
"Well，Ican’tseehercomingjustnow，"hesaid。"Butshewill，"headded。
"Youletmeknowatoncewhenshecomes。"
"Why，cert’nly，ofcourse，"saidthesteward。
ThreetrainednursescameoverthesidejustbeforethetransportstartedNorth。Onewasalarge，motherly-lookingwoman，withaGermanaccent。Shehadbeenatrainednurse，firstinBerlin，andlaterintheLondonHospitalinWhitechapel，andatBellevue。
Thenursewasdressedinwhite，andworealittlesilvermedalatherthroat;andshewasstrongenoughtoliftavolunteeroutofhiscotandholdhimeasilyinherarms，whileoneoftheconvalescentspulledhiscotoutoftherain。Someofthemencalledher"nurse;"others，whoworescapularsaroundtheirnecks，calledher"Sister;"andtheofficersofthemedicalstaffaddressedherasMissBergen。
MissBergenhaltedbesidethecotoftheLieutenantandasked，"Isthisthefevercaseyouspokeabout，Doctor——theoneyouwantmovedtotheofficers’ward？"Sheslippedherhandupunderhissleeveandfelthiswrist。
"Hispulseisveryhigh，"shesaidtothesteward。"Whendidyoutakehistemperature？"Shedrewalittlemoroccocasefromherpocketandfromthattookaclinicalthermometer，whichsheshookupanddown，eyingthepatientmeanwhilewithacalm，impersonalscrutiny。TheLieutenantraisedhisheadandstaredupatthewhitefigurebesidehiscot。Hiseyesopenedandthenshutquickly，withastartledlook，inwhichdoubtstruggledwithwonderfulhappiness。Hishandstoleoutfearfullyandwarilyuntilittouchedherapron，andthen，findingitwasreal，heclutcheditdesperately，andtwistinghisfaceandbodytowardher，pulledherdown，claspingherhandsinbothofhis，andpressingthemclosetohisfaceandeyesandlips。Heputthemfromhimforaninstant，andlookedatherthroughhistears。
"Sweetheart，"hewhispered，"sweetheart，Iknewyou’dcome。"
Asthenursekneltonthedeckbesidehim，herthermometerslippedfromherfingersandbroke，andshegaveanexclamationofannoyance。TheyoungDoctorpickedupthepiecesandtossedthemoverboard。Neitherofthemspoke，buttheysmiledappreciatively。TheLieutenantwaslookingatthenursewiththewonderandhopeandhungerofsoulinhiseyeswithwhichadyingmanlooksatthecrossthepriestholdsupbeforehim。WhathesawwheretheGermannursewaskneelingwasatall，fairgirlwithgreatbandsandmassesofhair，withaheadrisinglikealilyfromafirm，whitethroat，setonbroadshouldersaboveastraightbackandslopingbreast——atall，beautifulcreature，half-girl，half-woman，wholookedbackathimshyly，butsteadily。
"Listen，"hesaid。
ThevoiceofthesickmanwassosureandsosanethattheyoungDoctorstarted，andmovednearertotheheadofthecot。
"Listen，dearest，"theLieutenantwhispered。"IwantedtotellyoubeforeIcameSouth。ButIdidnotdare;andthenIwasafraidsomethingmighthappentome，andIcouldnevertellyou，andyouwouldneverknow。SoIwroteittoyouinthewillI
madeatBaiquiri，thenightbeforethelanding。Ifyouhadn’tcomenow，youwouldhavelearneditinthatway。Youwouldhavereadtherethatthereneverwasanyonebutyou;therestwerealldreampeople，foolish，silly——mad。Thereisnooneelseintheworldbutyou;youhavebeentheonlythinginlifethathascounted。IthoughtImightdosomethingdownherethatwouldmakeyoucare。ButIgotshotgoingupahill，andafterthatI
wasn’tabletodoanything。Itwasveryhot，andthehillswereonfire;andtheytookmeprisoner，andkeptmetieddownhere，burningonthesecoals。Ican’tlivemuchlonger，butnowthatI
havetoldyouIcanhavepeace。Theytriedtokillmebeforeyoucame;buttheydidn’tknowIlovedyou，theydidn’tknowthatmenwholoveyoucan’tdie。Theytriedtostarvemyloveforyou，toburnitoutofme;theytriedtoreachitwiththeirknives。Butmyloveforyouismysoul，andtheycan’tkillaman’ssoul。
Dearheart，Ihavelivedbecauseyoulived。Nowthatyouknow——nowthatyouunderstand——whatdoesitmatter？"
MissBergenshookherheadwithgreatvigor。"Nonsense，"shesaid，cheerfully。"Youarenotgoingtodie。Assoonaswemoveyououtofthisrain，andsomefoodcook——"
"GoodGod！"criedtheyoungDoctor，savagely。"Doyouwanttokillhim？"
Whenshespokethepatienthadthrownhisarmsheavilyacrosshisface，andhadfallenback，lyingrigidonthepillow。
TheDoctorledthewayacrosstheprostratebodies，apologizingashewent。"IamsorryIspokesoquickly，"hesaid，"buthethoughtyouwerereal。Imeanhethoughtyouweresomeonehereallyknew——"
"Hewasjustdelirious，"saidtheGermannurse，calmly。
TheDoctormixedhimselfaScotchandsodaanddrankitwithasinglegesture。
"Ugh！"hesaidtotheward-room。"IfeelasthoughI’dbeenopeninganotherman’sletters。"
Thetransportdrovethroughtheemptyseaswithheavy，clumsyupheavals，rollinglikeabuoy。Havingbeenoriginallyintendedforthefreight-carryingtrade，shehadnosympathywithheartsthatbeatforasightoftheirnativeland，orforlivesthatcountedtheirremainingminutesbythethrobbingofherengines。Occasionally，withoutapparentreason，shewasthrownviolentlyfromhercourse：butitwasinvariablythecasethatwhenhersternwenttostarboard，somethingsplashedinthewateronherportsideanddriftedpasther，until，whenithadclearedthebladesofherpropeller，avoicecriedout，andshewasswungbackonherhome-boundtrackagain。
TheLieutenantmissedthefamiliarpalmsandthetinyblock-
house;andseeingnothingbeyondtheironrailsbutgreatwastesofgraywater，hedecidedhewasonboardaprison-ship，orthathehadbeenstrappedtoaraftandcastadrift。Peoplecameforhoursatatimeandstoodatthefootofhiscot，andtalkedwithhimandhetothem——peoplehehadlovedandpeoplehehadlongforgotten，someofwhomhehadthoughtweredead。Oneofthemhecouldhaveswornhehadseenburiedinadeeptrench，andcoveredwithbranchesofpalmetto。Hehadheardthebugler，withtearschokinghim，sound"taps;"andwithhisownhandhehadplacedthedeadman’scampaignhatonthemoundoffreshearthabovethegrave。Yetherehewasstillalive，andhecamewithothermenofhistrooptospeaktohim;butwhenhereachedouttothemtheyweregone——therealandtheunreal，thedeadandtheliving——andevenShedisappearedwheneverhetriedtotakeherhand，andsometimesthehospitalstewarddroveheraway。
"Didthatyoungladysaywhenshewascomingbackagain？"heaskedthesteward。
"Theyounglady！Whatyounglady？"askedthesteward，wearily。
"Theonewhohasbeensittingthere，"heanswered。Hepointedwithhisgaunthandatthemaninthenextcot。
"Oh，thatyounglady。Yes，she’scomingback。She’sjustgonebelowtofetchyousomehard-tack。"
Theyoungvolunteerinthenextcotwhinedgrievously。