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。