"Already the last cues are being given; already the company that held the stage is moving slowly toward the eternal wings. The stage is to be swept clean; everything must go, toy swords and cannon, crowns and ermine, the old and battered property god who required a sea of blood and tears to propitiate him; the old and false idol once worshiped as Honour, and set upon a pedestal of dead bones. All these must go, Karen--are already going.... But--I am in the cast of 'Today'; I may only watch them pass, and play my part until the curtain falls." They remained silent for a long time. The train had been running very slowly. Presently it stopped. Guild rose and went to the door of the compartment, where a lantern glimmered, held high. Soldiers opened the door; an officer of Guard Cuirassiers saluted. "We control the line no farther," he said. "Telegraphic orders direct me to send you forward with a flag." "May I ask where we are?" said Guild. "Not far from Antwerp. Will you aid Madam to descend? Time presses. We have a motor car at your disposal." He turned, aided Karen to the wooden platform, which was thronged with heavy cavalrymen, then lifted out their luggage, which a soldier in fatigue cap took. "There was also a box," said Guild to the officer of Cuirassiers. "It is already in the tonneau." He drew a telegram from his pocket and handed it to Guild, and the young man read it under the flickering lantern light: CAPTAIN THE COMTE D'YVOIR: I am told that I shall recover. It has been, so far, between us, only the sword; but I trust, one day, it shall be the hand. Luck was against me. Not your fault. I send to you and to my daughter my respect and my good will. Until a more auspicious day, then, and without rancour. Your friend the enemy, VON REITER, Maj.-Gen'l. Karen, reading over his shoulder, pressed his arm convulsively. Tears filled her eyes, but she was smiling. "May we send a wire?" asked Guild of the officer. An orderly came with pencil and telegraph blank. Guild wrote: We are happy to learn that you are to recover. Gratitude, respect, salute from me; from her, gratitude and love. It will always be the hand. May the auspicious day come quickly. GUELDRES, Capt. Reserve. The orderly took the blank; Guild returned the salute of the Cuirassier and followed the soldier who was carrying their luggage. An automobile stood there, garnished with two white lanterns and a pair of white flags. A moment later they were speeding through the darkness out across a vast dim plain. An officer sat in the front seat beside a military chauffeur; behind them, on a rumble, was seated a cavalryman.