"I am writing to ask you not to write again, as I shall be coming home--only I daren't give you that, as the reason! And also to beg of you not to leave England. Think what it would be, if I reached there, only to find you gone! "And now about the future, my beloved; _your_ future. "Oh, that picture! You know,--the big one? I can't put on paper all I thought about it; but--it showed me--I knew at once--that somehow, some one had been teaching you--what love means. "Diana, don't misunderstand me! I trust you always, utterly. But we both made a horrible mistake. Our marriage was an unnatural, unlawful thing. It is no fault of yours, if some one--before you knew what was happening--has made you care, in something the way I suddenly found I cared for you. "And I want to say, that this possibility makes me glad to leave you free--absolutely free, my wife. "You must always remember that I want you to have the best, and to know the best. And if some happy man who loves you and is worthy can win you, and fill your dear life with the golden joy of loving--why, God knows, I wouldn't be such a dog in the manger, as to begrudge you that joy, or to wish to stand between. "So don't give me a thought, if it makes you happier to forget me. Only--if you do remember me sometimes--remember that I have loved you, always, from the very first, with a love which would have gladly lived for you, had that been possible; but, not being possible, gladly dies for you, that you--at last--may have the best. "And so, good-bye, my wife. "Yours ever, "DAVID RIVERS." CHAPTER XXXVII "GOOD-NIGHT, DAVID" When Diana had finished reading David's letter, she folded it, replaced it in the envelope; rose, laid aside her uniform, slipping on a grey cashmere wrapper, with soft white silk frills at neck and wrists. Then she passed down the stone corridor, and quietly entered the darkened room where David was lying. A screen was drawn partly round the bed. A nurse sat, silent and watchful, her eyes upon the pillow. She rose, as Diana entered, and came forward quickly. "I am left in charge, Mrs. Rivers," she whispered. "I was to call you at once when I saw the change. The doctors have been gone ten minutes. Sir Deryck expects to return in an hour. He is fetching an antitoxin which he proposes trying, if the patient lives until his return. Dr. Walters thinks it useless to attempt anything further. No more strychnine is to be used." "Thank you," said Diana, gently. "Now you can go into the ward, nurse. I will take charge here. If I want help, I will call. Close the door softly behind you. I wish to be alone." She stood quite still, while the nurse, after a moment's hesitation, left the room.