t please look at my face like that, Sheila. Think--think
that it's just lupus, just some horrible disfigurement.'

Not much light was in the large room, and there was something so
extraordinarily characteristic of her husband in those stooping
shoulders, in the head hung a little forward, and in the preternaturally
solemn voice, that Sheila had to bend a little over the bed to catch a
glimpse of the sallow and keener face again. She sighed; and even on her
own strained ear her sigh sounded almost like one of relief.

'It's useless, I know, to ask you anything while you are in this mood,'
continued Lawford dully; 'I know that of old.'

The white, ringed hands clenched, '"Of old!"'

'I didn't mean anything. Don't listen to what I say. It's only--it's
just Alice knowing, that was all; I mean at once.'

'Don't for a moment suppose I am not perfectly aware that it is only
Alice you think of. You were particularly anxious about my feelings,
weren't you? You broke the news to me with the tenderest solicitude. I
am glad our--our daughter shares my husband's love.'

'Look here,' said Lawford densely, 'you know that I love you as much as
ever; but with this--as I am; what would be the good of my saying so?'
Mrs Lawford took a deep breath.

And a voice called softly at the door, 'Mother, are you there? Is father
awake? May I come in?'

In a flash the memory returned to her; twenty-four hours ago she was
asking that very question of this unspeakable figure that sat hunched-up
before her.

'One moment, dear,' she called. And added in a very low voice, 'Come
here!'

Lawford looked up. 'What?' he said.

'Perhaps, perhaps,' she whispered, 'it isn't quite so bad.'

'For mercy's sake, Sheila,' he said, 'don't torture me; tell the poor
child to go away.'

She paused. 'Are you there, Alice? Would you mind, father says, waiting
a little? He is so very tired.'

'Too tired to.... Oh, very well, mother.'

Mrs Lawford opened the door, and called after her, 'Is Jimmie gone?'

'Oh, yes, hours.'

'Where did you meet?'

'I couldn't get a carriage at the station. He carried my dressing-bag;
I begged him not to. The other's coming on. You know what Jimmie is.
How very, very lucky I did come home. I don't know what made me; just an
impulse; they did laugh at me so. Father dear--do speak to me; how are
you now?'

Lawford opened his mouth, gulped, and shook his head.

'Ssh, dear!' whispered Sheila, 'I think he has fallen asleep