The news was all about a possible war with Spain, on account of the blowing up of the warship "Maine," in Havana Harbor. I grew indignant at the hot-heads in my country who were willing to plunge two nations in the horrors of war without waiting to see if a catastrophe could be honorably averted. When the reading was finished I lay passive for a long time and then my thoughts reverted to the scene that preceded my illness. "I am very, very sorry!" I murmured, drawing Marjorie toward me by the hand which she allowed to rest in mine. "Sorry? For what?" "My cruelty to you." She bade me think no more of what had passed, declaring that the blame, if any, was her own, and that, at least, I must not talk about it for the present. Her manner soothed me more than words and I lay very still, fondling the hand I held and occasionally murmuring grateful expressions. They came to me gradually--all the hateful things I had said and done; and I contrasted them, to my discredit, with the thoughtful care she was giving me. The love that had vanished during my anger returned ten-fold. The doctor came and looked wise. I would be able to sit up in a day or two, he said. Good nursing was what I most required now; as if I didn't know that as well as he! And I had the best nurse in the world--the one I wanted above all others. Could I only be assured I never would lose her! On the third day I refused to heed longer the advice not to talk. I had too much to say that I wanted Marjorie to hear. "If you really wish me to be quiet," I said, "you can stop me very easily. Tell me you will be my wife when we return to New York. Only say 'yes' and I will not speak another word." She leaned over the bed, pushing my hair back gently with her soft white hand. "Only that one word, Marjorie; only that one! And then we will both be still." "When--we return--to New York," she answered, slowly, with a pause between the syllables, "I have--something--of great importance to--tell you. If--after that--you persist in your question--I--I--" "That is enough," was my joyful reply. "You will leave it to me? Dear girl, I ask no more. God bless and keep you!" I fell asleep early that evening and did not waken once till the sun had risen. Then the medicine she had given me showed its efficacious power. I was quite able to rise and even to take my breakfast at the table in the sitting-room with her. Once started on the road to recovery each hour showed a rapid gain. In another day I was taken for a short drive. The next I remained dressed from morning till night, though I reclined part of the time on a sofa. And I could think of nothing but returning to the United States. The sooner the better now, when the wish of my life was to be granted there.