s a military hospital.
Her answer to his letter telling of his second rejection at the
recruiting office--most tender words from her heart to his heart,
comforting his spirit as transfusion of blood from health to sickness
maintains the exhausted body--her reply told him that on that day
fortnight she was coming down to say of his disappointment what she
could so inadequately express in writing. She was going out to war work
in France--in Tony's name she had presented a fleet of ambulance cars to
a Red Cross unit and she was going out to drive one--and she was coming
down to look at things at Northrepps before she left.

* * * * *

On the following day Tidborough, opening its newspapers, shook hands
with itself in all its houses, shops and offices on its own special and
most glorious V.C.,--Lord Tybar.

III

Tybar's V.C. was the first thing Sabre spoke of to Nona when, a
fortnight later, she came down and he went up to her at Northrepps in
the afternoon. Its brilliant gallantry, rendered so vivid to him by the
intimacy with which he could see that thrice attractive figure engaged
in its performance, stirred him most deeply. He had by heart every line
of its official record in the restrained language of the _Gazette_.

...The left flank of the position was insecure, and the post, when
taken over, was ill prepared for defence.... When the battalion was
suffering very heavy casualties from a 77mm. field gun at very
close range, Captain Lord Tybar rushed forward under intense
machine gun fire and succeeded in capturing the gun single-handed
after killing the entire crew.... Later, when repeated attacks
developed, he controlled the defence at the point threatened,
giving personal assistance with revolver and bombs....
Single-handed he repulsed one bombing assault.... It was entirely
owing to the gallant conduct of this officer that the situation was
relieved....

Oh, rare and splendid spirit! Fortune's darling thrice worthy of her
dowry!

Nona had written of it in ringing words. She flushed in beautiful ardour
of the enthusiasm she joined with Sabre's at his opening words of their
meeting; but she ended with a sad little laugh. "And then!" she said.

"What do you mean, Nona, 'And then'?"

She took a letter from her bag. "I only got this this morning just as I
was coming away. It's in reply to the one I wrote him about his V.C.