'Well, I really can't help it,' said Bruce rather fretfully. '_I_ should be at the front if it weren't for my neurotic heart. The doctor wouldn't hear of passing me--at least one wouldn't. Any fellow who would have done so would be--not a careful man. However, I don't know that it wouldn't have been just as good to die for my country, and get some glory, as to die of heart trouble here.' He sighed. 'Oh no, you won't,' said Edith reassuringly; 'you look the picture of health.' 'I've got a bit of sunburn, I think,' said Bruce, popping up to look in the glass. 'Funny how I do catch the sun. I asked Dr Pollock about it one day.' 'Really--did you consult him about your sunburn?' 'Yes. What are you smiling at, He said it's caused by the extreme delicacy of the mucous membrane; nothing to be anxious about.' 'I don't think I am anxious; not particularly. And don't worry, my dear boy; it's very becoming,' said Edith. Bruce patted her head, and gave her a kiss, smiling. CHAPTER VIII 'We're lunching with the Mitchells today,' said Edith. 'Oh yes. I remember. I'm looking forward to it,' graciously said Madame Frabelle. 'It's a pity your husband can't come, isn't it? Ah, you naughty girl, I don't believe you think so!' Madame Frabelle, archly shook her finger at Edith. 'Eglantine, have you really seriously talked yourself into thinking that Mr Mitchell is anything to me?' 'I don't say, dear,' said Madame Frabelle, sitting down comfortably, and bringing out her knitting, 'that you yourself are aware of it. I don't say that you're in love with him, but that he is devoted to you anyone with half-an-eye can see. And some day,' she shook her head, 'some day your interest in him may take you by surprise.' 'It is _your_ interest in him that surprises me,' said Edith. 'He's a good friend, and we like him very much. But for anything else!--' 'If so, it's really rather wonderful,' mused Eglantine, 'that you've never had a thought, even the merest dream, beyond your husband; that it has never even occurred to you that anyone else might have suited your temperament better.' Edith dropped her book, and picked it up again. Her friend thought she saw, whether through stooping or what not, an increase of colour in her face. 'It isn't everyone,' continued Madame Frabelle, 'who would appreciate your husband as you do. To me he is a very charming man. I can understand his inspiring a feeling almost of motherly interest. I even feel sometimes,' she laughed, 'as if it would be a pleasure to look after him, take care of him. I think it would not have been a bad thing for him to have married a woman a little older than himself. But you, Edith, you're so young. You see, you might have made a mistake when you married him. You were a mere girl, and I could imagine some of his ways might irritate a very young woman.' After a moment she went on: 'I suppose Bruce was very handsome when you married him?' 'Yes, he was. But he hasn't altered much.'