"They don't want to see me again," he muttered; and then, "Oh, what a miserable, contemptible coward I am; preaching to that young fellow about his duty, and here I am, the next minute, deceiving myself and utterly wanting in strength to do mine. I ought to go out and say good-bye to Saxa, and I will." He stopped and turned to go, but a hand was laid upon his arm, and, as he faced round, it was to see a little white appealing face turned up to his, and as he passed his arm round his sister's waist the horses' hoofs crushed the gravel by the door, passed on, and the sound grew more faint. "Neil, dear; Tom has gone. Is his father very ill?" These words brought the young surgeon back to the troubles of others in place of his own. "No, dear; he is no worse. It was not that," he said hastily. "What was it, then? Oh, Neil, dear, you hurt me. You are keeping something back." "I am not going to keep anything back, little sis," he said tenderly. "Come in here." He led her into the drawing room and closed the door, while she clung to him, searching his eyes with her own wistful gaze, as her lips trembled. "Now, dear, pray tell me. Why did Tom come?" "He had bad news, dear." "About his ship?" cried the girl wildly. "Yes." "O Neil! It was about going back to sea!" Neil nodded, and drew her more closely to him, but she resisted. His embrace seemed to stifle her; she could hardly breathe. "You are cruel to me," she panted. "But I know," she cried half hysterically; "he has to go soon." "He has to do his duty as a Queen's officer, Isabel, dear, and you must be firm." "Yes, yes, dear, of course," she cried, struggling hard the while to master her emotion. "I will, indeed, try--to be calm--and patient. But tell me; he has had a message about rejoining his ship?" "Yes, dear." "And he is to go soon?" Neil was silent. "Neil, pray speak," she sobbed. "Yes, my child. He brought a telegram." "A despatch," she said, correcting him. "No, dear--a telegram." "Then--then--it means--something sudden--for them to telegraph. I can bear it, now, dear. How soon is he to go?" "Isabel, my child, will you trust in me to help you to do what is best?" said Neil tenderly. "Yes, Neil, dear; of course, I want to do what is right, and you will help me." "I will, dear, with all my strength. You know that Tom has his duty to do, like the rest of us, and you have yours to our poor father." "Yes, Neil, of course, and you know I try." "My darling, yes," he cried, as he kissed the pale cheeks wet now with tears. "Then tell me. I must know. When is Tom to go?" "Isabel, your father forbade all engagement with him, and I have talked to Tom Beck as I thought was best for both of you. Come, you must act like a brave little woman and help me. We have both got our duty to do now at a very sad time. You will help me and try to be firm?" "Yes--yes," she whispered hoarsely, "but--but--Neil--tell me--when is he to go?"