e convictions grew in clearness she found herself brought
suddenly and sharply to face the issue. With a swift contraction of the
heart she realized that she must send her husband on this perilous duty.
Ah! Could she do it? It was as if a cold hand were steadily squeezing
drop by drop the life-blood from her heart. In contrast, and as if with
one flash of light, the long happy days of the last six months passed
before her mind. How could she give him up? Her breathing came in short
gasps, her lips became dry, her eyes fixed and staring. She was fighting
for what was dearer to her than life. Suddenly she flung her hands to
her face and groaned aloud.

"What is it, Mandy?" cried her husband, starting from his place.

His words seemed to recall her. The agonizing agitation passed from her
and a great quiet fell upon her soul. The struggle was done. She had
made the ancient sacrifice demanded of women since ever the first man
went forth to war. It remained only to complete with fitting ritual this
ancient sacrifice. She rose from her seat and faced her husband.

"Allan," she said, and her voice was of indescribable sweetness, "you
must go."

Her husband took her in his arms without a word, then brokenly he said:

"My girl! My own brave girl! I knew you must send me."

"Yes," she replied, gazing into his face with a wan smile, "I knew it
too, because I knew you would expect me to."

The Inspector had risen from his chair at her first cry and was standing
with bent head, as if in the presence of a scene too sacred to witness.
Then he came to her, and, with old time and courtly grace of the fine
gentleman he was, he took her hand and raised it to his lips.

"Dear lady," he said, "for such as you brave men would gladly give their
lives."

"Give their lives!" cried Mandy. "I would much rather they would save
them. But," she added, her voice taking a practical tone, "sit down and
let us talk. Now what's the work and what's the plan?"

The men glanced at each other in silent admiration of this woman who,
without moan or murmur, could surrender her heart's dearest treasure for
her country's good. This was a spirit of their own type.

They sat down before the fire and discussed the business before them.
But as they discussed ever and again Mandy would find her mind wandering
back over the past happy days. Ever and again a word would recall her,
but only for a brief moment and soon she was far away again.

A phrase of th