y eyes."

At that cry from the man's tormented heart all thought of her own
pain, all doubt as to her own strength, was submerged by a flood-tide
of pure human compassion; and she came to him straightway, kneeling
close beside his chair, and laying one hand lightly on the rug that
covered him.

"There, Theo--there. Can you see me a little now?" she asked tenderly.
"You mustn't think hard things of--Ladybird--please. She let herself
go so completely after seeing you in the verandah, and it was
impossible for her to come to you while she was in such a state of
collapse. I have given her a strong dose of sal volatile, and she
begged me to explain things to you; so--I came. I can't tell you how
sorry I was that it should be--only me."

He raised his head at that.

"You've the grit of all the Merediths in you, Honor," he said, and his
changed tone assured her that she had, in some measure, fulfilled her
purpose. "I can't have you talking about 'only me' in that deprecating
fashion. Goodness knows what Ladybird would have done without you. No
doubt she'll pull herself together when she has got more used to the
hideousness of it all--myself included----"

"She will--I am sure she will," the girl declared with pardonable
insincerity; "and I really believe that if--if _I_ were not here,
Evelyn might make more of an effort to stand on her own feet than she
does now. Please don't misunderstand me, Theo,"--her brave voice
faltered on the words--"please believe that I myself would far rather
be here at a time like this. I would not dream of deserting my post if
I were not quite sure that there are many others ready to look after
you as carefully and willingly as I would do myself. Indeed, I am
honestly suggesting what I think would be best for us all
round--Evelyn especially. Won't you let me go, Theo, and at least try
how it works?"

Desmond shook his head with cautious deliberation, since hasty
movements had proved to be dangerous.

"My dear Honor," he objected, "you, who know Ladybird even better than
I do, must surely know by now that nothing will force her to stand
upon her own feet. To-day gives final proof of it. What's more, Paul
will probably establish himself here. I can't have him criticising
her, even in his own mind; and who but you can I rely on to prevent
it, by keeping her up to the mark? You see, I am taking you at your
word, and not misunderstanding you, and I ask you frankly to stand by
us till this trou