you only knew. Do you love me a little, even a little?"

Suddenly the girl ceased her struggling. "A little!" she cried. "No,
Jack, not a little, but with all my heart I love you. I should not tell
you to-night, and, oh, I meant to be so strong and not let you speak
till you were well again, but I can't help it. But are you quite sure,
Jack? Are you sure you won't regret this when you are well again?"

He put his strong arm round about her and drew her close. "I can't
half hold you, darling," he said in her ear. "This confounded arm of
mine--but you do it for me. Put your arms around me, sweetheart, and
tell me that you love me."

She wreathed her arms round about his neck and drew him close. "Oh,
Jack," she said, "I may be wrong, but I am so happy, and I never thought
to be happy again. I cannot believe it. Oh, what awful days these have
been!" she said with a break in her voice and hiding her face upon his
shoulder.

"Never mind, sweetheart, think of all the days before us."

"Are you sure, Jack?" she whispered to him, still hiding her face. "Are
you very sure that you will not be ashamed of me? I felt so dreadful and
I came in just to help you, and I was so sure of myself. But when I saw
you lying there, Jack, I just could not help myself." Her voice broke.

He turned her face up a little toward him. "Look at me," he said. She
opened her eyes and, looking steadily into his, held them there. "Say,
'Jack, I love you,'" he whispered to her.

A great flood of red blood rushed over her face, then faded, leaving
her white, but still her eyes held his fast. "Jack," she whispered, "my
Jack, I love you."

"Kathleen, dear heart," he said.

Closer he drew her lips toward his. Suddenly she closed her eyes, her
whole body relaxed, and lay limp against him. As his lips met hers,
her arms tightened about him and held him in a strong embrace. Then she
opened her eyes, raised herself up, and gazed at him as if in surprise.
"Oh, Jack," she cried, "I cannot think it is true. Are you sure? I could
not bear it if you were mistaken."

There was the sound of a footstep on the stair. "Let me go, Jack;
there's your sister coming. Quick! Lie down." Hurriedly, she began once
more to bathe his face as Mrs. Waring-Gaunt came in.

"Is he resting?" she said. "Why, Jack, you seem quite feverish. Did you
give him his medicine?"

"Yes, about an hour ago, I think."

"An hour! Why, before you came upstairs? How long have you been in?"