happy--as she
would have done with Blantyre, if she had had a chance; as even she
tried to do with the man whom she had sent to his account with the
firmness and fury of an ancient Greek. The maternal, the protective
sense was big in her, and indirectly it had governed her life. It had
sent her to South Africa--to protect the wretch who had done his best
to destroy her; it had made her content at times as she did her nurse's
work in what dreadful circumstances! It was the source of her revolt at
Jasmine's conduct and character.

But was it also that, far beneath her criticism of Jasmine, which was,
after all, so little in comparison with the new-found affection she
really had for her, there lay a kinship, a sympathy, a soul's
rapprochement with Rudyard, which might, in happier circumstances, have
become a mating such as the world knew in its youth? Was that also in
part the cause of her anxiety for Rudyard, and of her sharp disapproval
of Jasmine? Did she want to see Rudyard happy, no matter at what cost
to Jasmine? Was it the everlasting feminine in her which would make a
woman sacrifice herself for a man, if need be, in order that he might
be happy? Was it the ancient tyrannical soul in her which would make a
thousand women sacrifice themselves for the man she herself set above
all others?

But she was of those who do not know what they are, or what they think
and feel, till some explosion forces open the doors of their souls and
they look upon a new life over a heap of ruins.

She sat in the gathering dusk, waiting, while hope slowly waned.
Rudyard also, on the veranda, paced weakly, almost stumblingly, up and
down, his face also turning towards the Stay Awhile Hospital. At
length, with a heavy sigh, he entered the house and sat down in a great
arm-chair, from which old Brinkwort the Boer had laid down the law for
his people.

Where was Jasmine? Why did she not hasten to Brinkwort's Farm?

A Staff Officer from the General Commanding had called to congratulate
Jasmine on her recovery, and to give fresh instructions which would
link her work at Durban effectively with the army as it now moved on to
the relief of the town beyond the hills. Al'mah's note had arrived
while the officer was with Jasmine, and it was held back until he left.
It was then forgotten by the attendant on duty, and it lay for three
hours undelivered. Then when it was given to her, no mention was made
of the delay.

When the Staff Officer l