Sabron was so agitated after her departure that the nurse said he must receive no more visits for several days, and he meditated and longed and thought and wondered, and nearly cursed the life that had brought him back to a world which must be lonely for him henceforth. When he sat up in bed he was a shadow. He had a book to read and read a few lines of it, but he put it down as the letters blurred. He was sitting so, dreaming and wondering how true or how false it was that he had seen Julia Redmond come several times to his bedside during the early days of his illness here in the hospital. Then across his troubled mind suddenly came the words that he had heard her sing, and he tried to recall them. The Red Cross nurse who so charitably sang in the hospital came to the wards and began her mission. One after another she sang familiar songs. "How the poor devils must love it!" Sabron thought, and he blessed her for her charity. How familiar was her voice! But that was only because he was so ill. But he began to wonder and to doubt, and across the distance came the notes of the tune, the melody of the song that had haunted him for many months: "God keep you safe, my love, All through the night; Rest close in His encircling arms Until the light. My heart is with you as I kneel to pray, Good night! God keep you in His care alway. "Thick shadows creep like silent ghosts About my head; I lose myself in tender dreams While overhead The moon comes stealing through the window-bars, A silver sickle gleaming 'mid the stars. "For I, though I am far away, Feel safe and strong, To trust you thus, dear love--and yet, The night is long. I say with sobbing breath the old fond prayer, Good night! Sweet dreams! God keep you everywhere!" When she had finished singing there were tears on the soldier's cheeks and he was not ashamed. Pitchouné, who remembered the tune as well, crept up to him and laid his head on his master's hand. Sabron had just time to wipe away the tears when the Duc de Tremont came in. "Old fellow, do you feel up to seeing Miss Redmond for a few moments?" * * * * * * * When she came in he did not know whether he most clearly saw her simple summer dress with the single jewel at her throat, her large hat that framed her face, or the gentle lovely face all sweetness and sympathy. He believed her to be the future Duchesse de Tremont. "Monsieur de Sabron, we are all so glad you are getting well." "Thank you, Mademoiselle." He seemed to look at her from a great distance, from the distance to the end of which he had so wearily been traveling. She was lovelier than he had dreamed, more rarely sweet and adorable. "Did you recognize the little song, Monsieur?" "It was good of you to sing it." "This is not the first time I have seen you, Monsieur de Sabron. I came when you were too ill to know of it." "Then I did not dream," said the officer simply.