f it again, laid her fingers on his
wrist. The rapidity of his pulse startled her; since she could have no
suspicion of all that he had fought against and held in check.

"How _is_ one to keep such a piece of quicksilver as you in a state of
placid stodge!" she murmured. "I suppose I ought to have forbidden you
to talk. But how could I dream that--all this would come of it? You
must lie absolutely quiet and see no one for the rest of the evening.
I will send at once for Dr Mackay; and, look, your tea is all cold.
You shall have some fresh--very weak--it will do you good. But not
another word, please, to me or any one till I give you leave."

"Very well; I'll do my best to remain in a state of placid stodge, if
that will ease your mind," he answered so humbly that the tears
started to her eyes afresh. "Won't you let me smoke, though? Just one
cigarette. It would calm me down finely before Mackay comes."

Without answering she took one from his case and gave it to him. Then,
striking a match, held it for him, till the wisp of paper and tobacco
was well alight; while he lay back, drawing in the fragrant smoke,
with a sigh in which contentment and despair were strangely mingled.

It is to be hoped that, to the end of time, woman's higher development
will never eradicate her delight in ministering to the minor comforts
of the man she loves.

"As soon as I have seen Paul, and sent for Dr Mackay," Honor said, "I
will come back and stay with you altogether for the present."

"Thank you." He smiled directly the word was out. "I forgot! That's
against regulations! But I swear it came straight from my heart."

"In that case you are forgiven!" she answered, with a low laugh.

It was such pure pleasure to have recaptured the old spontaneous Theo,
with whom one could say or do anything, in the certainty of being
understood, that even anxiety could not quell the new joy at her
heart.

Re-entering the drawing-room, she beckoned Wyndham with her eyes and
passed on into the hall. So surprisingly swift are a woman's changes
of mood, that by the time he joined her anxiety had taken hold of her
again, to the exclusion of all else.

"What is it?" he asked quickly.

"Oh, Paul, you did well to reprove me! We must send the orderly for Dr
Mackay at once. He has fever now--rather high, I am afraid. Did you
notice nothing earlier?"

"No; he seemed quiet enough when I was with him."

"I think he has been worrying over something, apar