n that
mad rush through Belgium. I was wounded at Maubeuge, or else I should
have followed hard on the heels of that wonderful retreat of yours.
As it was, I lay for many months in hospital. I joined again--shall I
confess it?--almost unwillingly. The bloodthirstiness of it all sickened
me. I fought at Ypres, but I think that it was something of the courage
of despair, of black misery. I was wounded again and decorated. I
suppose I shall never be fit for the front again. I tried to turn to
account some of my knowledge of England and English life. Then they sent
me here."

"Here, of all places in the world!" Philippa repeated wonderingly.
"Just look at us! We have a single line of railway, a perfectly
straightforward system of roads, the ordinary number of soldiers being
trained, no mysteries, no industries--nothing. What terrible scheme are
you at work upon, Mr. Lessingham?"

He smiled.

"Between you and me," he confided, "I am not at all sure that I am not
here on a fool's errand--at least I thought so when I arrived."

She glanced up at him.

"And why not now?"

He made no answer, but their eyes met and Philippa looked hurriedly
away. There was a moment's queer, strained silence. Before them loomed
up the outline of Mainsail Haul.

"You will come in and have some tea, won't you?" she invited.

"If I may. Believe me," he added, "it has only been a certain diffidence
that has kept me away so long."

She made no reply, and they entered the house together. They found Helen
and Nora, with three or four young men from the Depot, having tea in the
drawing-room. Lessingham slipped very easily into the pleasant little
circle. If a trifle subdued, his quiet manners, and a sense of humour
which every now and then displayed itself, were most attractive.

"Wish you'd come and dine with us and meet our colonel, sir," Harrison
asked him. "He was at Magdalen a few years after Major Felstead, and I
am sure you'd find plenty to talk about."

"I am quite sure that we should," Lessingham replied. "May I come,
perhaps, towards the end of next week? I am making most strenuous
efforts to lead an absolutely quiet life here."

"Whenever you like, sir. We sha'n't be able to show you anything very
wild in the way of dissipation. Vintage port and a decent cigar are the
only changes we can make for guests."

Philippa drew her visitor on one side presently, and made him sit with
her in a distant corner of the room.

"I knew ther