ned
wholly inscrutable, wholly unresponsive. There was something about him
that smote her with a curious chill, but she told herself that he was
worn out with hard travel and anxiety as she went from the room to
comply with his curt request.

Lying against his shoulder, Stella whispered a few halting sentences.
"It--happened so suddenly. The Rajah drives so fiercely--like a man
possessed. And the car skidded on the hill. Netta Ermsted was in it, and
she screamed, and I--I was terrified because Tessa--Tessa--brave
mite--sprang in front of me. I don't know what she thought she could do.
I think partly she was angry, and lost her head. And she meant--to
help--to protect me--somehow. After that, I fainted--and when I came
round, they had brought me back here. That was ever so long ago." She
shuddered convulsively. "I've been through a lot since then."

Monck's teeth closed upon his lip. He had not suspected an accident.

Tremulously Stella went on. "It--was so much too soon. I
was--dreadfully--afraid for the poor wee baby. But the doctor said--the
doctor said--it was all right--only small. And oh, Everard--" her voice
thrilled again with a quivering joy--"it is a boy. I so wanted--a
son--for you."

"God bless you!" he said almost inarticulately, and kissed her white
face again burningly, even with violence. She smiled at his intensity,
though it made her gasp. "I know--I know--you will be great," she said.
"And--your son--must carry on your greatness. He shall learn to
love--the Empire--as you do. We will teach him together--you and I."

"Ah!" Monck said, and drew the hard breath of a man struggling in deep
waters.

Mrs. Ralston returned softly with a white bundle in her arms, and
Stella's hold relaxed. Her heavy lids brightened eagerly.

"My dear," Mrs. Ralston said, "the doctor has commanded me to turn your
husband out immediately. He must just peep at the darling baby and go."

"Tell him to go himself--to blazes!" said Monck forcibly, and then
reached up, still curiously grim to Mrs. Ralston's observing eyes, and,
without rising from his knees, took his child into his arms.

He laid it against the mother's breast, and tenderly uncovered the tiny,
sleeping face.

"Oh, Everard!" she said.

And Mrs. Ralston turned away with a little sob. She did not believe any
longer that Stella would die. The sweet, thrilling happiness of her
voice seemed somehow to drive out the very thought of death. She had
never in her l