The blood ebbed from Evelyn's face as she watched Theo mount the steps, slowly, uncertainly, supported on either side by Wyndham and the doctor--he who, in normal circumstances, would have cleared them at a bound and taken her in his arms. His appearance alone struck terror into her heart. Was this the splendid-looking husband who had ridden away full of life and energy,--this strange seeming man, whose face was disfigured and more than half-hidden by an unsightly bandage and a broad green shade; whose empty coat-sleeve, slashed and blood-stained, suggested too vividly the condition of the arm strapped into place beneath? It was all she could do not to shrink back instinctively when the men moved aside, as Honor had done, to afford husband and wife some small measure of privacy, and Theo held out his hand. "They've sent me back rather the worse for wear, Ladybird," he said, with a smile; "but Mackay will put the pieces together in good time." "Oh, Theo--I hope so!--It's dreadful to see you--like that." The hand she surrendered to him was cold as ice; and the attempt at welcome in her voice was checked by a paralysing fear and constraint. Thirty-six hours of severe pain in body and mind had failed to break his spirit; but the thing was achieved by a dozen words from his wife. He knew now what to expect from her; and for the moment he was stricken speechless. "I am so--sorry," she murmured, "about----" "Yes--yes, I know," he took her up quickly; and there was an awkward silence. "Who--what--is in that other doolie?" she asked, in a hurried whisper. "The Boy." "But, Theo--you're not going to----" "For God's sake shut up!" He swayed a little in speaking, and promptly Paul was at his side. No one had heard what passed; and when Mackay, returning to his post by the wounded arm, gently urged Desmond forward, Paul signalled to Evelyn to take his place, while he went back to the doolie. "Just a minute, Mrs Desmond," he said in a low tone. Evelyn, startled by the request, stood irresolute; and since there was no time for hesitancy, Honor came forward and put her hand under Theo's elbow. She felt a jar go all through him at her touch, and knew that he had heard Wyndham's request. "Ah, Honor," he said, by way of greeting, "I'm afraid I've come back a mere log on your hands." An undernote of bitterness in his tone gave her courage to speak the thought in her mind. "We are only too thankful to have got you back safe--in any condition," she murmured. He did not answer at once; and she moved away to make place for Paul, whose face was set in very rigid lines. "Take me to the _duftur_," Desmond commanded curtly. "I'll not be put to bed." "No, no, man; we'll settle you up in your long chair," Mackay answered soothingly. He perceived that by some means Mrs Desmond had jarred his patient, and was in high ill-humour with her accordingly.