s glowed in
Desmond's eyes; then vanished, leaving his face a politely interested
mask. But Paul had seen the flash and pressed his point accordingly.

"Of _course_ you'll come, Theo. A sight of her will do us both good.
I'm glad I thought of it."

"So am I," Desmond agreed, without a particle of gladness in his level
tone. "But--you can leave me out of the programme. One of us is
enough--for all that is needed; and it's only right it should be you."

"I don't quite follow the logic of that."

Desmond's set face softened to a smile. "Don't you, old man? Then you
must take my word for it."

In spite of that smile Paul heard the note of finality in his friend's
voice and said no more.

On the appointed morning he set out alone to meet the ship, pain and
elation contending in his heart. But when, at last, he set eyes on
Honor Meredith, and saw her whole face lighten at sight of him,
complexities were submerged in a flood-tide of simple, human joy.

But the exalted moment was short-lived. He could not fail to see how,
instinctively, her glance travelled beyond him; how her lower lip was
indrawn for the space of a heart-beat; and when their hands met, he,
as instinctively, answered her thought.

"I couldn't persuade Theo to come. He is still difficult to rouse or
move. The news of your father did seem to stir him and I am hoping he
will write."

She let out her breath unsteadily. "Oh, if he only would! This
interminable silence seems--so inhuman. In a way, I understand it; but
the others, out there, are getting terribly unhappy over it; John and
Frank more than all. _You_ don't think--do you--that there is really
any fear----?"

The look in her eyes recalled that terrible night of March when they
two had watched over Theo in turn; and Paul knew that now--as
then--she craved no cheap consolation, but the truth.

"There have been bad moments," he admitted, "when one was
afraid----But now I honestly believe that he _will_ fight again and
live again with his old zest; and I want you to believe it too, with
all your heart."

"I will believe it--with all my heart," she answered very low and
steadily. "Have you any plans--beyond Le Trayas?"

"Nothing definite. I just keep my eye on him and act accordingly. In
April, I think Bellagio would be a sound move. There, if anywhere, the
call of the spring should prove irresistible. At least it's a
prescription worth trying."

She smiled; and, even in smiling, he noted th