"Good-morning, Mrs Desmond," he said; and his sympathetic hand-clasp sent her mercurial spirits down to zero. "What is it?" she asked, blanching visibly. "You have brought bad news?" Paul assented in silence. "If it is very horrible--don't tell me--I won't hear it!" She held up both hands, as if warding off a blow. But Honor, coming quickly forward, put both arms round her. "Hush, dear, hush!" she said soothingly. "That is nonsense. We _must_ know what has happened, at once." "Let him tell _you_, then; it won't hurt you like it hurts me." And disengaging herself, she went over to the verandah doorway, and stood there, looking out into the sunshine; her back to the room; her small hands clasped; every nerve strained to miss no word of what was passing behind her. Honor turned promptly on Paul, an anguish of suspense in her eyes. "Is it--the worst?" "No--no--not that," he reassured her hastily. "Tell me everything, please." "I only know bare facts; the news came by helio. It seems there was a sharp hand-to-hand engagement. The Boy and some of his men were taken by surprise. Just as Theo reached them Denvil was--killed!" A stifled sound broke from Evelyn. "And--Theo?" Honor's low voice seemed to come from very far away. "Theo has been badly cut about. Four wounds. The most serious is a bullet wound in his face--close to the right eye. They seem afraid that he may possibly--lose his sight." "It is not true--oh, it is _not_ true!" Evelyn's hands went up to her head with a desperate cry. Then she swayed, tottered backward, and fell prone among the sofa cushions. "Honor--come to me--I'm frightened!" she moaned, without lifting her head; and in an instant Honor was bending over her, murmuring brave words of encouragement, removing her hat, and mechanically smoothing her hair. "Is--he still here?" Evelyn asked under her breath. "Yes, dear. Do you want him?" "No--no; send him away. I want you--only you!" Wyndham was already nearing the door and Honor followed him out into the hall. "You see she's a little off her balance, poor child." "Yes, I see," he answered wearily. "And I thank God with all my heart that _you_ are here. Will you tell Mrs Desmond that an escort is returning to-day with Theo and--the Boy. They will reach Kohat to-morrow evening." Honor straightened herself suddenly. "I will tell her. To-morrow evening. Does Frank know too?" "Yes; she was in when I came. It upset her very much. Not a soul in the regiment--officers or men--will have a minute's peace of mind till the result of this wound is known for certain. In all the misery of it, one is proud to realise that." Something of his own grief showed in his voice for the first time, and Honor's heart contracted with too keen a sympathy. "Ah, Paul! you speak of it so calmly--as if you were just one with the rest. But I, at least, can guess what the pain and suspense must be for you." His face softened at the tender inflection of her voice.