ch details as he had obtained, then added:

'There are two of my companions fallen in the battle. I ought to think
myself a lucky fellow, Marian. What?'

'You are better fitted to fight your way, Jasper.'

'More of a brute, you mean.'

'You know very well I don't. You have more energy and more intellect.'

'Well, it remains to be seen how I shall come out when I am weighted
with graver cares than I have yet known.'

She looked at him inquiringly, but said nothing.

'I have made up my mind about our affairs,' he went on presently.
'Marian, if ever we are to be married, it must be now.'

The words were so unexpected that they brought a flush to her cheeks and
neck.

'Now?'

'Yes. Will you marry me, and let us take our chance?'

Her heart throbbed violently.

'You don't mean at once, Jasper? You would wait until I know what
father's fate is to be?'

'Well, now, there's the point. You feel yourself indispensable to your
father at present?'

'Not indispensable, but--wouldn't it seem very unkind? I should be so
afraid of the effect upon his health, Jasper. So much depends, we are
told, upon his general state of mind and body. It would be dreadful if I
were the cause of--'

She paused, and looked up at him touchingly.

'I understand that. But let us face our position. Suppose the operation
is successful; your father will certainly not be able to use his eyes
much for a long time, if ever; and perhaps he would miss you as much
then as now. Suppose he does not regain his sight; could you then leave
him?'

'Dear, I can't feel it would be my duty to renounce you because my
father had become blind. And if he can see pretty well, I don't think I
need remain with him.'

'Has one thing occurred to you? Will he consent to receive an allowance
from a person whose name is Mrs Milvain?'

'I can't be sure,' she replied, much troubled.

'And if he obstinately refuses--what then? What is before him?'

Marian's head sank, and she stood still.

'Why have you changed your mind so, Jasper?' she inquired at length.

'Because I have decided that the indefinitely long engagement would be
unjust to you--and to myself. Such engagements are always dangerous;
sometimes they deprave the character of the man or woman.'

She listened anxiously and reflected.

'Everything,' he went on, 'would be simple enough but for your domestic
difficulties. As I have said, there is the very serious doubt whether
your father would accept