n could bestow upon him. But now that he was
recovering, she was equally determined he should be saved from whatever
enemy he had feared before being delivered into her hands.

Before parting on the previous afternoon Sally had agreed with her
patient that they discuss his situation on her next visit to the
chateau.

As the old man and girl crept cautiously inside the opening between the
arch of walls, they could see their soldier lying asleep upon his
mattress, but between clean sheets and covered with blankets which Sally
had managed to secure from the supply at the farm.

The half-dismantled room was cold but fragrant with the odors of the
woods and fields. Perhaps the fresh air which had at all times flooded
the odd sick-room had been in a measure responsible for the ill man's
recovery, having taken the place of other comforts he had been obliged
to forego.

He opened his eyes at the approach of his two friends and looked a
little wistfully at Sally.

"You have come at last! I was afraid you would not be able to manage.
How kind you have been!"

Sally made no reply except to offer him a glass of milk and to stand
silently by until he had finished drinking it.

She looked very sweet. Today her walk and the excitement of her morning
had tired her so that she was paler than usual; yet her lips were full
and crimson and her brown hair had a charming fashion of curling in
little brown rings on her forehead as if she were a tiny child.

The soldier no longer wore any look of mental confusion except that his
expression was puzzled and questioning.

"You are much better. I am glad," Sally said at last. "You see I do not
know how often I can come to the chateau after today, unless you should
become very ill again and then I would come in any case."

Sally's direct fashion of speaking had its value amid the complexities
of human relations.

Old Jean had disappeared to bring fresh water and to accomplish other
tasks so that Sally and the soldier were alone for a little time.

As a matter of fact, Jean's had been the really difficult nursing. Night
after night when the soldier's condition had been most critical Jean had
made no pretence of going to bed, but had hobbled over at bedtime to
remain until dawn by the ill man's side.

"Perhaps you will sit down for a little so that I can ask you a great
many questions," the soldier suggested. "Now that I am getting back my
senses, you can scarcely imagine what a myste