himself in expectation of
the advent of an intruder. And then, at that moment, with a spasm of
fear freezing his hot blood, he saw once more the face of his enemy.
While one might have counted six, it glared at him from between the
branches--the swarthy, bearded face, with the tufted eyebrows, and the
strong, protuberant teeth. For six long seconds the eyes gazed
mockingly into his own.

Poor palpitating Delia, peeping between her fingers, beheld her lover
of a moment transformed into a stricken, grey-faced man, who sat
huddled up on his seat, staring before him with a gaze of helpless
despair. There was no more blushing and trembling after that--Delia
simply wrapped her arms round his neck, and crooned over him with
tender, loving words.

"Val, my own Val. What is it? I'm here. Delia's here. Nobody shall
hurt you, dearest; no one shall harm you. Delia's here. Look at me,
Val--my own, own Val!"

The words pierced. Through all the horror and the fear, their
sweetness reached to the brain, and turned the current of his
thoughts. One look he gave her, a look of passionate gratitude and
love, then to her utter bewilderment he lifted her to her feet and
drew her to the entrance of the summer-house.

"Go, darling--go! Go quickly! You can help me best that way. Go
quickly!"

Delia stared at him, and a sudden explanation leaped into her brain.
Heart disease! Val had discovered that his heart was affected, that
was the reason of his changed looks. At the moment he was threatened
with a spasm of pain, and man-like preferred to be alone. Obediently
Delia walked away, her heart torn with sympathy. But when they were
married she would take such good care of him, such incessant,
all-encompassing care, that he must, he should get well!

Lessing watched her go, and then deliberately moved a chair to the
centre of the entrance to the summer-house, seated himself astride,
and bent his head on the rail.

He had no longer the wish to fight for his life. Better a thousand
times that the end should come now, rather than later on. He was
ready. He was waiting. He prayed that there would not be long to
wait. At the hour when he least expected it his call had come!

"Now then, old fellow, now then! Sit up, will you? What's the matter
with you? That's right--that's right. Keep your hair on, old man.
You're not half as bad as you th