tly by
all. With regard to me, he directed my uncle to set aside twenty
thousand pounds, to be given me on my marriage, or failing that, on
my twenty-fifth birthday. In the meantime I was to be taken care of
by my uncles; and he added that my future husband, if he appeared,
must be approved of by Uncle Albert.

"Though jarred to find he would receive far less than he had hoped,
Uncle Robert was soon in a good temper, for their elder brother
informed Uncle Bob and Uncle Bendigo that he should divide the
fortune into three equal parts. Thus it came about that each
received about forty thousand pounds, while my inheritance was set
aside. All would have been well, no doubt, and I was coaxing my
uncle round, for Michael Pendean knew nothing about our affairs and
remained wholly ignorant that I should ever be worth a penny. It was
a marriage of purest love and he had four hundred a year of his own
from the business of the pilchard fishery, which we both deemed
ample for our needs.

"Then broke the war, on those awful days in August, and the face of
the world changed--I suppose forever."

She stopped again, rose, went to the sideboard, and poured herself
out a little water. Mark jumped up and took the glass jug from her
hand.

"Rest now," he begged, but she sipped the water and shook her head.

"I will rest when you have gone," she answered; "but please come
back again presently if you can give me a gleam of hope."

"Be very sure of that, Mrs. Pendean."

She went back to her seat while he also sat down again. Then she
resumed.

"The war altered everything and created a painful breach between my
future husband and my Uncle Robert. The latter instantly
volunteered and rejoiced in the opportunity to seek adventure. He
joined a cavalry regiment and invited Michael to do the same; but my
husband, though no more patriotic man lives--I must speak still as
though he lives, Mr. Brendon--"

"Of course you must, Mrs. Pendean--we must all think of him as
living until the contrary is proved."

"Thank you for saying that! My husband had no mind for active
warfare. He was delicately built and of a gentle temperament. The
thought of engaging in hand-to-hand conflict was more than he could
endure, and there were, of course, a thousand other ways open to him
in which he could serve his country--a man so skilful as he."

"Of course there were."

"Uncle Robert, however, made a personal thing of it. Volunteers for
active service