en
times over, is another kind of flight which appeals."

"Oh, for Heaven's sake leave that part of it! It was no thanks to me
and my blundering asinine stupidity that you came in safe at all."

"No. But, you see, I happen to hold a different opinion. And now,
John, I have a little sore grievance against you, and I want to work it
off. We don't see much of you now. Why not?"

"Well, `_we_' don't want to. Do you happen to know that only a couple
of days ago I was requested not to come here any more?"

"Do I happen to know? Why, of course I don't. This is the first I've
heard of it," answered Nidia, speaking quickly and with some
indignation. "I did not even know you had been here a couple of days
ago. I only know how I have missed you since."

"It is hardly fair, though, to give that as a reason. There may be
others. One is, perhaps, that I thought you might have too much of a
not very good thing; that you might have had enough of me during all the
time we were together, and change is congenial sometimes. Again,
perhaps, it is that I have not been feeling particularly cheerful of
late, and feared to inflict it upon you."

Nidia's face, which at first had taken on a hurt look, now grew very
soft.

"What have you been troubled about? Can you not tell me? _Me_,
remember?"

The very tone was a caress. But somehow it recalled the abominable hint
thrown out by Mrs Bateman that very morning--the imputation that had
stung and insulted him to the very core of his finest feelings--and the
recollection hardened him.

"Whatever I have been troubled about will trouble me as long as life
itself," he answered, looking her in the eyes full and straight. "But I
did not come here to whine to you, trouble or not. I came to say
good-bye."

"Good-bye?"

"Yes. I have volunteered for active service, and am under orders to be
in readiness to take the field at a moment's notice."

"Then you may consider those orders cancelled. You are under orders to
remain where you are until further notice."

"What?" he said, looking down at her where she stood, for he had risen
preparatory to taking his leave. "To remain where I am? What do you
mean, Nidia?"

"I mean that you can't go, and I don't intend that you shall. Heavens,
what do you want to go getting yourself killed for? Wasn't it bad
enough when you nearly did--when I--when we--all thought you were? You
have got to stay here and take care of me."

What w