en her mother run out and stop the little party--to have been
perchance summoned from upstairs "to wish good luck to Jervis Blake."

From where she stood Rose Otway commanded the whole Close, and during
the minutes which followed she saw the group of people walking with
quick, steady steps, stopped by passers-by three or four times, before
they disappeared out of her sight.

It had seemed to her, but that might have been only her fancy, that the
pace, obviously set by Jervis, quickened rather as they swept past the
little gate through which he and she had gone on their way to the porch,
on their way to--to Paradise.

* * * * *

Half-way through the morning there came an uncertain knock at the front
door of the Trellis House. It presaged a note brought by one of the
young Robeys for Mrs. Otway--a note written by Jervis Blake, telling her
of his good fortune, and explaining that he had not time to come and
thank her in person for all her many kindnesses to him. One sentence
ran: "The War Office order is that I come and report myself as soon as
possible--so of course I had to take the ten-twenty-five train." And he
signed himself, as he had never done before, "Your affectionate JERVIS
BLAKE."

Mrs. Otway felt mildly excited, and really pleased. "Rose will be very
glad to hear this!" she said to herself, and at once sought out her
daughter.

Rose was still upstairs, in the roomy, rather dark old linen cupboard
which was the pride of Anna's German heart.

"A most extraordinary thing has happened. Jervis Blake is to have a
commission after all, darling! He had a letter from the War Office this
morning. I suppose it's due to his father's influence." And as Rose
answered, in what seemed an indifferent voice, "I should think, mother,
that it's due to the War," Mrs. Otway exclaimed, "Oh no. I don't think
so! What could the War have to do with it? But whatever it's due to, I'm
very, very pleased that the poor boy has attained the wish of his heart.
He's written me such a very nice note, apologising for not coming to say
good-bye to us. He doesn't mention you in his letter, but I expect
you'll hear from him in a day or two. He generally does write during the
holidays, doesn't he, Rose?"

"Yes," said Rose quietly. "Jervis has always written to me during the
holidays, up to now."

As she spoke, the girl turned again to the shelves laden with the linen,
much of which had been beautifully embro