She did as he bade her, and took refuge in the shadow of a huge tree, just as men's voices told her the mechanics had come. The rolling of distant guns, like thunder echoing through cavernous depths, traveled on the wings of the wind and left her heart fluttering from a sudden contraction of pain. For one day, in the restful meadows of England and in the fascination of the unmarred City of Adventure, she had forgotten France's agony. With the thought came a sudden bitterness. Ten minutes later she heard him coming with a motor-cycle, to which a side-car was attached. She took her seat in the car, and he fastened the rubber cover over her knees. Then, opening the throttle, they sped through the night towards her home. It was just twenty minutes to twelve when they reached the mill. Hurrying across the foot-bridge which spanned the chute, she entered the cottage and lit the lamp. "Louis!" she cried. "Louis!" That patient feline awoke from slumber and stretched in the most blasé manner; but his little mistress, gathering him in her arms, pressed her cheek against his head, asking a dozen questions at once, to which he deigned no reply other than blinking into space and licking his chops, as though the ways of women were beyond him, but 'twere best to let them have their own way. The airman followed her in.... The prevaricating clock continued its dilatory march of time. Marshal Joffre was, if anything, more paternal than before, and the geranium-colored table cover lent its unsubtle glow to the scene. "Good-by, Pippa," he said. The girl stood motionless, and there was a quick stab in her heart. She had known that this moment would come, but had kept her thoughts from it ... and now ... he was going.... Once more she would have only her little world of make-believe. She released the cat from her arms and turned her eyes away. "You have been very kind, monsieur," she said. He fingered his helmet absent-mindedly. "Did you enjoy it?" he asked aimlessly. "It was wonderful," she said quietly, still looking into distance; "I have seen so much. This morning I was just a little girl, but now----" His fingers ceased turning the helmet, and he frowned at it intently. "We do not grow old with years but by moments," he said. "For a long time one is a child; then there comes an instant of suffering, or of love ... and one is no longer a child. That is all." She slowly sank into a chair by the table, and, folding her hands, appeared engrossed in the table cover. "Your Majesty," she said, "do you remember the poor lady with the violets?" "Yes, Pippa." "What did she say to you?" He smiled awkwardly. "It--it is rather hard to explain, little one. She told me to--to take care of you." "Why did she say that?" she asked without removing her eyes for a moment from the table. "Well--perhaps you do not know this--but men are sometimes very unkind to women." "I know, monsieur. Simon Barit, he often beats his wife."