gnanimous and patriotic Englishwoman. By her first word of welcome
she had fulfilled the part. But this flushed, eager talk lay far beyond
the scope of patriotic duty. How could they thus converse over the body
of the dead Althea? With both of them was I indignant.

In my inmost heart I felt horribly and vulgarly jealous. I may as well
confess it. Deeply as I had sworn blood-brotherhood with Boyce,
regardless of the crimes he might or might not have committed, I could
not admit him into that inner brotherhood of which Betty and I alone
were members. And this is just a roundabout, shame-faced way of saying
that, at that moment, I discovered that I was hopelessly, insanely in
love with Betty. The knowledge came to me in a great wave of dismay.

"You'll let me see you again, won't you?" he asked.

"If you like."

I don't think I heard the words, but I traced them on their lips. They
parted. Sir Anthony descended from the platform and gave his arm to
Mrs. Boyce. Lady Fenimore still clung to Boyce. Winterbotham came next,
bearing the two caskets, which had been lying neglected on the table.
The sparse company followed down the empty hall. Marigold signalled to
the porter and they hoisted down my chair. Betty, who had lingered
during the operation, walked by my side. Being able now to propel
myself, I dismissed Marigold to a discreet position in the rear. Betty,
her face still slightly flushed, said:

"I'm waiting for congratulations which seem to be about as overwhelming
as snow in August. Don't you think I've been extraordinarily good?"

"Do you feel good?"

"More than good," she laughed. "Christianlike. Aren't we told in the
New Testament to forgive our enemies?"

"'And love those that despitefully use us?'" I misquoted maliciously. A
sudden gust of anger often causes us to do worse things than trifle
with the text of the Sermon on the Mount.

She turned on me quickly, as though stung. "Why not? Isn't the sight of
him maimed like that enough to melt the heart of a stone?"

I replied soberly enough. "It is indeed."

I had already betrayed my foolish jealousy. Further altercation could
only result in my betraying Boyce. I did not feel very happy. Conscious
of having spoken to me with unwonted sharpness, she sought to make
amends by laying her hand on my shoulder.

"I think, dear," she said, "we're all on rather an emotional edge
to-day."

We reached the front door of the hall. At the top of the shallow flight