“Oh, Gregory, what is it all about?” she cried, with one hand on his shoulder, and soft eyes deeply imploring him. “You must have some message for me at last. It is so long since I had any. He is so kind, he would never leave me without any message all this time, unless--unless----” “He is wounded, you know; how can he write?” asked Gregory, with some irony. “Until he was wounded, how many times did I bring you fifty thousand kisses?” “Oh, it is not that I was thinking of, though I am sure that was very nice of him. Ah, you need not be laughing, Gregory dear, as if you would not do the same to Phyllis. But do tell me what you have heard, dear brother; I can put up with anything better than doubt.” “Are you quite sure of that, darling Mab? Can you make up your mind for some very bad news?” “I have not been used to it, Gregory: I--I have always been so happy. Is he dead? Only say that he is not dead?” “No, he is not dead. Sit down a moment, under this old willow, while I fetch some water for you.” “I cannot sit down till I know the worst. If he is not dead, he is dying of his wounds. Oh my darling Hilary!” “He is not dying; he is much better, and will soon rejoin his regiment.” “Then why did you frighten me so, for nothing? Oh how cruel it was of you! I really thought I was going to faint--a thing I have never done in my life. You bring me the best news in the world, and you spoil it by your way of telling it.” “Don’t be in such a hurry, darling. I wish that was all I have to tell you. But you have plenty of pride now, haven’t you?” “I--I don’t know at all, I am sure; but I suppose I am the same as other girls.” “If you thought that Lorraine was unworthy of you, you could make up your mind to forget him, I hope.” “I never could do such a thing, because I never dream it of Hilary. He is my better in every way. From feeling myself unworthy of him, I might perhaps try to do without him; but as to forgetting him--never!” “Not even if he forgot you, Mabel?” “He cannot do it,” she answered proudly. “He has promised never to forget me. And no gentleman ever breaks a promise.” “Then Hilary Lorraine is no gentleman. He has forgotten you; and is deeply in love with a Spanish lady.” Kind and good brother as he was, he had told his bad news too abruptly in his indignation. Mabel looked up faintly at him; and was struck in the heart so that she could not speak. But the first of the tide of a sea of tears just moved beneath her eyelids.