“Quite, sir, thank you for your kindness and consideration. Thank you very much. You have been my friend, and you too, Sir Charles; and if, as you are pleased to say, you are satisfied with my conduct, all I ask is, be friends to Duncan, if in your power. It is, perhaps, the last professional favor I shall ask of any one.” “Well, my dear fellow, I promise you,” said the admiral. “But, don’t be down-hearted; you will soon be well. Good-by.” “Poor fellow!” said the admiral to the governor, as they left the hospital; “he’s booked for death as sure as fate. I am sorry for him; and if he _is_ to die, he might as well have died within my command, and I could have given the vacancy to my nephew.” “We’ll hope he may get home alive,” said Sir Charles; and so he did. Lord Dunsmore had been absent from Southampton for some days. He was visiting at the admiral’s at Portsmouth, and the sisters did not at all expect to see him, when one afternoon, a fly stopped at their door, and he, issuing from it, was shown into the house. There was something strange, excited, sad in his look, which startled both ladies, and made them glance anxiously at him; yet he seemed trying to speak as usual. “We did not know you were come back,” said Hilary. “I am but just arrived by train from Portsmouth. I wished――that is, I undertook to bring you word”――he paused; she looked, but could not speak. “The _Erratic_ arrived at Spithead at day-break.” The beatings at Hilary’s heart choked her; she leaned back in her chair, white as the cambric she held in her hands. She felt, she _knew_ there was more; there was bad news behind. He started up. “A glass of water, Gwyneth,” exclaimed he. Mrs. Hepburn tasted the water, and then whispered―― “Go on.” “I saw both your brother and your husband; here is a note for you!” Hilary caught it; it was from Maurice, and she noted Lord Dunsmore change color, nor did he tell her not to be alarmed; so there _was_ cause for fear! She forced herself, however, to look at the note. “DEAREST HILARY, “We are here; will you come to your husband? he wants nursing. Lord Dunsmore has promised to bring you by next train. Come at once. I will not leave H. “Yours ever and ever, “MAURICE DUNCAN.” “Southsea Common.” “I am ready,” said she, rising at once. “I will go directly.” “There is a train leaves in an hour. I kept the fly; we should start for the station in twenty minutes or less.” “I will be ready,” said Hilary; she withdrew. “Go and help her, Nest,” said Lord Dunsmore. “Please stay one moment, Miss Duncan.” “Call Sarah, Nest,” said Gwyneth; “tell her Mrs. Hepburn wants her. Now, my lord.” She turned to him for information. He threw himself on a chair, and seemed to control his feelings with difficulty.