epticism, and what wonder? Have you
read the story of France? Ah, yes, the faith is coming back. This
last twenty years, _mon ami_, a change has come about. There is a new
force working. People are beginning to believe again that there is
something behind everything--something which cannot be explained away
by a shallow philosophy. We have a mission, monsieur--the good God has
given us and you a mission; it is to fight for peace. Who knows but
this is perhaps the last war that Europe will ever know?"

Two days later, when Bob was much stronger, two events took place which
must be recorded. One was the arrival of a letter from his mother.
The doctor's letter, telling her of Bob's doings, had reached her and
so she immediately sent a letter to him full of pride and affection:
"Oh, my boy," she wrote, "if once I was ashamed of you, my pride in you
now is beyond all words! Everybody knows about you and is talking
about you in St. Ia. I simply cannot realise it, and I am crying with
joy as I write this. You are spoken of as a hero; the story of your
splendid deed in rescuing Captain Trevanion is the talk of the county.
I think Captain Pringle met a London journalist in France and told him
all about it. Oh, my dear boy, my heart simply aches to be with you,
and if it is at all possible I shall get across to France to see you.
Meanwhile, I am constantly praying for you. It is all so wonderful,
that my boy should do this because of what he believes to be call of
God.

"By the way," the letter continued, "I suppose you have heard nothing
of Nancy Tresize. I am told she is a nurse in a French hospital, but
where, I haven't the slightest idea. Even the Admiral, whom I saw only
a few days ago, told me he didn't know where she was, but he hinted to
me that her engagement with Captain Trevanion was now practically
settled. The Admiral also told me that the Captain's promotion is
bound to be very rapid, and that if he lived he would doubtless come
back a Colonel; and so, my boy, although my heart is full of joy at
what you have done, I cannot help being sad because I am afraid you
have lost the best girl in Cornwall. Still, as your father used to say
to me, there is nothing higher in the world than to be true to one's
conscience."

After Bob had read this letter he lay for a long time in deep thought.
Yes, in spite of everything, his sky was black. This ghastly war had
wrecked his life's happiness; but for it he a