or two, so I found myself with a few hours to
spare. You do not seem pleased to see me. Why?"

"I am sorry you should think so," was Nancy's reply. "But, you see, I
did not expect you. Wouldn't it be--that is--isn't it a sort of
anti-climax to come down here like this, after the great send-off St.
Ia gave you?"

She laughed nervously as she spoke, and, although a faint flush tinged
her cheeks, it was easy to see that she was far from well.

"What do I care about climaxes or anti-climaxes?" cried Trevanion. "I
came because I couldn't help it. I knew you hadn't gone abroad, and I
came just on the chance of seeing you. I caught the early train at
Plymouth, and here I am. I must get back to-night."

"I'm afraid I'm no good at tennis or golf just now," said Nancy, "still
I'll----"

"Hang tennis and golf!" interrupted Trevanion. "I didn't come all the
way from Plymouth for that. I came because--because--but you know why?
I say," he went on hurriedly, "you know Gossett of the Engineers, don't
you? He goes to-morrow, and--and he was married yesterday. Both he
and--and his wife felt they couldn't wait any longer. I suppose her
people tried to dissuade her from getting married at such a time as
this; but she wouldn't listen to them. 'I'm going to get married
because Jack is going to the front,' was her reply to the croakers. 'I
want him to feel that he has a wife waiting at home for him.' 'But
suppose he should be killed?' said an old dame. 'Then I'd rather be
his widow than his fiancee,' was her reply. Plucky, wasn't it?"

Nancy did not reply.

"Hosts of chaps have done the same thing," went on Trevanion hurriedly.
"They had meant to have waited for months, but when the war came on
they determined to marry right away."

"Are you thinking of getting married?" Nancy was angry with herself
the moment she had spoken, but she was excited beyond measure, and the
words escaped her almost unconsciously.

"Would to God I could!" cried Trevanion excitedly. "I'd give--heavens,
what wouldn't I give for the chance! I say, Nancy, you know why I've
come down, don't you? You--you didn't give me a chance to speak the
other day, but now I feel as though I can't be silent any longer. You
know how I love you, Nancy--you must know, you must have seen it for
months--and--and--perhaps in a way it's cowardly of me to come to you
like this, when I'm possibly going to my death. But I couldn't help
myself, Nancy. If--i