g
than speech; and Theo Desmond knew all that was in his friend's heart
at that moment--all that could never be spoken between them, because
they were Englishmen, born into a heritage of incurable reserve.

"You're going to pull through this," Paul said quietly.

"Am I? Ask Mackay."

"No need for that--I'm sure of it; and--in the mean while----" A
tightening of his grasp supplied the rest.

"Thanks, old man. I know what you mean."

Then Paul went reluctantly out, and on into the drawing-room, where he
found Mackay and Honor Meredith in close conference. The little doctor
was laying down the law in respect of his patient with characteristic
bluntness.

"Now, Miss Meredith," he had said, as he met her in the hall, and drew
her aside into the empty room, "I'm a plain man, and you must put up
with plain speaking for the next few minutes. It's no light matter to
be responsible for a chap like Desmond. Not a morsel of use talking to
his wife! She seems to have upset him already. The Lord alone knows
how women do these things. Fools men are to care! But Desmond is what
you call finely organised; and you can't handle a violin as you would
a big drum. Frankly, now, his eyesight's in danger; and that wound in
his cheek is an ugly one in any case. He wants careful nursing, and I
refuse to put him into Mrs Desmond's hands. I'd deserve hanging for
murder if I did! Remains Mrs Olliver, or yourself. 'Twould be awkward
for Mrs Olliver to take his wife's place when there is a capable woman
on the spot. So now, will you take charge of Desmond for me, and put
yourself under my orders?--that's the real _mutlub_[28] of the whole
matter. You're welcome to say I don't think Mrs Desmond strong enough,
if you feel bound to tell a polite lie on the subject."

[28] Gist.

Honor had listened to the doctor's brusquely-delivered speech with a
growing sense of helplessness, as of a mouse caught in a trap. His
statement of the case was uncomfortably plain. He left her no loophole
of escape; and by the time he fired his final question at her, she had
decided on present capitulation.

"Yes, I will take charge of him," she said. "Only Mrs Desmond must
have some share in the nursing--for his sake and her own."

"Oh, well--well, I suppose she must. The less the better for his sake;
and you've got to consider Desmond before every one else at present. I
insist on that."

Honor smiled faintly at the superfluous injunction; and it was at this
po