his boy how very, very pleased he was at that mention in Sir John
French's Despatches. Indeed, all the morning telegraph boys had been
bringing to "Robey's" the congratulations of friends and even
acquaintances.

Jervis was very tired now--tired because the two surgeons, skilful and
careful though they were, had not been able to help hurting him quite a
good bit. It was fortunate that Rose Otway, dearly as she loved him,
knew little or nothing of pain. She had been sent away during that hour,
right out of the house, to take a walk with Mr. Robey. She had been told
quite plainly by Sir Jacques that they would rather she were not there
while the examination was taking place. It was important that the house
should be kept as far as possible absolutely quiet.

Jervis did not talk very much, but there was no need for him to do so.
He and Rose would have plenty of time to say everything they wanted to
one another, for Sir Jacques had told her, only yesterday night, that a
very long time must go by before Jervis would be fit to go back. "Any
injury to the foot," he had said casually, "is bound to be a long and a
ticklish business." The words had given her a rush of joy of which she
felt ashamed.

There came a knock at the door, and then the younger of Jervis's nurses
came quietly into the room. "They're asking for you downstairs, Miss
Otway," she said quietly. "And I think that perhaps Mr. Blake might now
get a little sleep. He's had a rather tiring, exciting morning, you
know. Perhaps you could come up and have tea with him about five
o'clock? He's sure to be awake by then."

And then the young nurse did a rather odd thing. Instead of going on
into the room and up to the bedside, she went out of the door for a
moment, and Rose, during that moment, bent down and laid her soft cheek
against Jervis's face. "Good-bye, my darling Jervis. I shan't be away
long." And then she straightened herself, and went out of the room.

Of course she was happy--happy, and with a heart at rest as it had not
been for months and months. But still it would be a great comfort when
Jervis was up. She hated to see him lying there, helpless, given over to
ministrations other than her own.

As she went through the door, the nurse stopped her and said, "Would you
go into Mr. Robey's study, Miss Otway? I think Sir John Blake wants to
see you before he goes back to town. Mr. Jenkinson has already gone; he
had to be there for a consultation at six."