At that moment she would have flung everything in life away to rush into his arms! CHAPTER XVIII Denzil was wounded at Neuve Chapelle on March 10th, 1915, though not seriously--a flesh wound in the side. He had done most gallantly and was to get a D.S.O. He had been in hospital for two weeks and was almost well when Amaryllis came up to Brook Street, on the first of April. She had read his name in the list of wounded, and had telegraphed to his mother in great anxiety, but had been reassured, and now she throbbed with longing to see him. To know that soon he would be going back again to the Front, was almost more than she could bear. She was feeling wonderfully well herself. Her splendid constitution and her youth made natural things cause her little distress. She was neither nervous nor fretful, nor oppressed with fancies and moods. And she looked very beautiful with her added dignity of mien and perfectly chosen clothes. Mrs. Ardayre came at once to see her the morning after her arrival, and suggested that Denzil should come when out driving that afternoon. Amaryllis tried to accept this suggestion calmly, and not show her joy, and Mrs. Ardayre left, promising to bring her son about four. Denzil had said to his Mother when he knew that Amaryllis was coming to London: "Mum, I want to see Amaryllis--please arrange it for me. And Mum, don't ask me anything about it; just leave me there when we drive and come and fetch me when I must go in again." Mrs. Ardayre was a very modern person, but she could not help exclaiming in a half voice while she sat by her son's bed: "You know she is going to have a baby in a month, dear boy, perhaps she won't care to see you now." A flush rose to Denzil's forehead: "Yes, I do know," he said a little hurriedly, "but we are not conventional in these days. I wish to see her; please, darling Mother, do what I ask." And then he had turned the conversation. So his mother had obediently arranged matters, and at about four in the afternoon left him at the Brook Street door. Early as it was, Amaryllis had made the tea, and expected to see both Denzil and his mother. The room was full of hyacinths and daffodils, and she herself looked like a spring flower, as she sat on the sofa among the green silk cushions, wrapped in a pale parma violet tea-gown. The butler announced "Captain Ardayre," and Denzil came in slowly, and murmured "How do you do?" But as soon as the door was closed upon him, he started forward, forgetting his stiff side. He covered her hands with kisses, he could not contain his joy; and then he drew back and looked at her with worship and reverence in his blue eyes. The most mysterious, quivering emotions were coursing through him, mixed with triumph, as he took in the picture she made. This delicate, beautiful creature! And to see her--so!