"Nothing has happened to her," she said. "A Sister of Mercy was wounded in the field hospital near Azalea, and they sent for Mrs. Paige to fill her place temporarily. And," looking from Celia to Berkley, "she is well and unhurt. The fighting is farther west now. Mrs. Paige heard yesterday that the 8th Lancers were encamped near Paigecourt and asked me to find Mr. Berkley--and deliver a letter----" She smiled, drew from her satchel a letter, and, disengaging her other hand from Celia's, went over to the bed and placed it in Berkley's hands. "She is quite well," repeated Letty reassuringly; and, to Celia: "She sends her love to you and to your husband and son, and wishes to know how they are and where their regiment is stationed." "You sweet little thing!" said Celia, impulsively taking her into her arms and kissing her pale face. "My husband and my son are safe and well, thank God, and my cousin, Phil Berkley, is convalescent, and you may tell my sister-in-law that we all were worried most to death at not hearing from her. And now I'm going to get you a cup of broth--you poor little white-faced child! How did you ever get here?" "Our ambulance brought me. We had sick men to send North. Ailsa couldn't leave, so she asked me to come." She accepted a chair near the bed. Celia went away to prepare some breakfast with the aid of old Peter and Sadie, her maid. And as soon as she left the room Letty sprang to her feet and went straight to Berkley. "I did not tell the entire truth," she said in a low, excited voice. "I heard your regiment was here; Ailsa learned it from me. I was coming anyway to see you." "To see me, Letty?" he repeated, surprised and smiling. "Yes," she said, losing what little colour remained in her cheeks. "I am in--in much--anxiety--to know--what to do." "Can _I_ help you?" She looked wistfully at him; the tears rushed into her eyes; she dropped on her knees at his bedside and hid her face on his hands. [Illustration: "She dropped on her knees at his bedside and hid her face on his hands."] "Letty--Letty!" he said in astonishment, "what on earth has happened?" She looked up, lips quivering, striving to meet his gaze through her tears. "Dr. Benton is here. . . . He--he has asked me to--marry him." Berkley lay silent, watching her intently. "Oh, I know--I know," she sobbed. "I can't, can I? I should have to tell him--and he would never speak to me again--never write to me--never be what he has been all these months!--I know I cannot marry him. I came to tell you--to ask--but it's no use--no use. I knew what you would say----" "Letty! Wait a moment----" She rose, controlling herself with a desperate effort.