,
and stared at the letter meditatively. "Champion?" he repeated.
"Champion? It's an uncommon name. Is your correspondent, by any chance,
the Honourable Jane?"

"Why, that letter is from her," replied Garth, surprised. "Do you know
her?" His voice vibrated eagerly.

"Well," answered Dr. Rob, with slow deliberation, "I know her face, and
I know her voice; I know her figure, and I know a pretty good deal of
her character. I know her at home, and I know her abroad. I've seen her
under fire, which is more than most men of her acquaintance can claim.
But there is one thing I never knew until to-day and that is her
handwriting. May I examine this envelope?" He turned to the
window;--yes, this audacious little Scotchman had asked the question of
Nurse Rosemary. But only a broad blue back met his look of inquiry.
Nurse Rosemary was studying the view. He turned back to Garth, who had
evidently already made a sign of assent, and on whose face was clearly
expressed an eager desire to hear more, and an extreme disinclination
to ask for it.

Dr. Mackenzie took up the envelope and pondered it.

"Yes," he said, at last, "it is like her,--clear, firm, unwavering;
knowing what it means to say, and saying it; going where it means to
go, and getting there. Ay, lad, it's a grand woman that; and if you
have the Honourable Jane for your friend, you can be doing without a
few other things."

A tinge of eager colour rose in Garth's thin cheeks. He had been so
starved in his darkness for want of some word concerning her, from that
outer light in which she moved. He had felt so hopelessly cut off from
all chance of hearing of her. And all the while, if only he had known
it, old Robbie could have talked of her. He had had to question Brand
so cautiously, fearing to betray his secret and hers; but with Dr. Rob
and Nurse Gray no such precautions were needed. He could safely guard
his secret, and yet listen and speak.

"Where--when?" asked Garth.

"I will tell you where, and I will tell you when," answered Dr. Rob,
"if you feel inclined for a war tale on this peaceful spring morning."

Garth was aflame With eagerness. "Have you a chair, doctor?" he said.
"And has Miss Gray a chair?"

"I have no chair, sir," said Dr. Rob, "because when I intend thoroughly
to enjoy my own eloquence it is my custom to stand. Nurse Gray has no
chair, because she is standing at the window absorbed in the view. She
has apparently ceased to pay any heed to you