'Since last November. I got a scratch in the Ypres fight in April--oh, nothing--a small flesh wound--but they gave me a month's leave, and my medical board has only just passed me.' 'Lanchesters?' said Sir William, looking at his cap. The other nodded pleasantly. 'Well, I am sure I hope you'll have good weather here,' said Sir William, stepping back, and once more raising his hat to the bride. 'And--if there was Anything I could do to help your stay--' 'Oh, thank you, Sir, but--' The pair smiled again at each other. Sir William understood, and smiled too. A more engaging couple he thought he had never seen. The young man was not exactly handsome, but he had a pair of charming hazel eyes, a good-tempered mouth, and a really fine brow. He was tall too, and well proportioned, and looked the pick of physical fitness. 'Just the kind of splendid stuff we are sending out by the ship-load,' thought the elder man, with a pang of envy--'And the girl's lovely!' She was at that moment bowing to him, as she followed her husband across the road. A thought occurred to Sir William, and he pursued her. 'I wonder--' he said diffidently--'if you care for boating--if you would like to boat on the lake--' 'Oh, but it isn't allowed!' She turned on him a pair of astonished eyes. 'Not in general. Ah, I see you know these parts already. But I happen to know the owner of the boathouse. Shall I get you leave?' 'Oh, that _would_ be delightful!' she said, her face kindling with a child's joyousness. 'That _is_ kind of you! Our name is Sarratt--my husband is Lieutenant Sarratt.' --'Of the 21st Lanchesters? All right--I'll see to it!' And he ran back to his car, while the young people disappeared into the little entrance hall of the lodging-house, and the door shut upon them. Miss Farrell received her brother with gibes. Trust William for finding out a beauty! Who were they? Farrell handed on his information as the car sped along the Keswick road. 'Going back in a week, is he?' said the convalescent officer beside him. Then, bitterly--'lucky dog!' Farrell looked at the speaker kindly. 'What--with a wife to leave?' The boy, for he was little more, shrugged his shoulders. At that moment he knew no passion but the passion for the regiment and his men, to whom he couldn't get back, because his 'beastly constitution' wouldn't let him recover as quickly as other men did. What did women matter?--when the 'push' might be on, any day. Cicely Farrell continued to chaff her brother, who took it placidly--fortified by a big cigar. 'And if she'd been plain, Willy, you'd never have so much as known she was there! Did you tell her you haunted these parts?' He shook his head. * * * * *