ng was ready, and then Rose went off, alone, to the
station, to meet the London express.

The train was very late, and as she paced up and down the long platform
she began wondering, with a kind of weary, confused wonder, whether
there had been an accident, for now everything startling and dreadful
seemed within the bounds of possibility. Yesterday with what eagerness
would she have bought two or three evening papers--but now the thought
of doing so did not even occur to her.

Yesterday--nay, to-day, up to three hours ago--she had been so happy,
lacking even that latent anxiety which had been with her for so long,
for she had supposed Jervis to be out of the trenches, resting. In fact,
for the first time she had not been thinking much of Jervis, for her
mind had been filled with her coming visit to London.

She was but very slightly acquainted with Sir John Blake, and she felt
rather frightened of him--of the father whom Jervis loved and feared.
True, he had written her a very kind, if a very short, note; but she had
been afraid that she would not please him--that he would not approve of
Jervis's choice....

At last the train came in. There was a great crowd of people, and her
eyes sought in vain for the tall, still active figure she vaguely
remembered. Then suddenly she saw Lady Blake--Lady Blake looking about
her with an anxious, bewildered face, which changed to eager relief when
the girl grasped her hand.

"Is this Rose? Dear little Rose! I am alone, dear child. I have not
brought a maid. My husband went down to Southampton early this morning
to wait for the hospital ship. I was so grateful for your mother's kind
telegram. It will be an infinite comfort to stay with you both. But I
think Sir John may find it more convenient to stay at an hotel." She
grew a little pink, and Rose Otway, whose perceptions as to a great deal
that is sad or strange in human nature, had grown of late, felt a little
rush of anger against Sir John Blake.

As they left the station, Rose was able to ask the questions she was
longing to ask. But Lady Blake knew nothing. "No, we have had no details
at all. Only just the telegram telling us that he has been severely
wounded--severely, you know, is much less serious than dangerously--and
that he was being sent to Sir Jacques Robey's hospital at Witanbury. It
seems so strange that Jervis should be coming _here_--so strange, but,
my dear, so very happy too! My husband says that they probably