d done a very noble thing in coming to nurse you when you were ill."

Hubert turned and seized her hands.

"Heaven bless you for saying that, Enid! She saved my life."

"And we should be grateful to her, and not malign her, should we not?
But it is only right, Hubert, that I should know the truth."

"The truth? What is there to know?" said Hubert, relinquishing her hands
and frowning heavily. "Flossy is absurdly wrong and mistaken, and
Cynthia West is one of the noblest women in the world--that is all that
I have to say. When I am a little stronger, Enid, it will be better if
you will consent to marry me at once; then we can go away together and
spend the winter in Egypt or Algiers."

He spoke hardily, determinedly. He had made up his mind to carry out his
sacrifice, if Enid desired it, at any cost. He had, as the General would
have said, returned to his allegiance.

Enid looked at him with a keenness, an intentness, which struck him as
remarkable.

"Do you want me to marry you?" she said.

"Of course I do! Why else should I have asked you?" he returned, with
all a sick man's petulance. "I want to get the ceremony over as soon as
possible--as soon as you will consent. When shall it be!"

"One moment, Hubert. Tell me first what I want to know. Is Flossy right
in saying that Cynthia loves you?"

"You may be quite sure that Flossy is infernally wrong in anything she
says!" he answered.

He had never spoken so roughly to her before. She drew back for a
second, and he immediately apologised.

"I beg your pardon, Enid; I am sorry to be so irritable. Think of me as
a sick man still, and forgive me. But Flossy knows nothing of the
matter."

"Not even that Cynthia cares for you?"

A deep flush rose to his face.

"You should not ask me. It is the last thing that I can tell," he said,
with the same sharpness of tone.

"Then tell me another thing, Hubert. Do you not care for her?"

"Yes--a great deal. She has been a kind friend--an excellent nurse--and
I am grateful to her. Enid, I do not like to think that you believe me
to be untrue to you."

She took his hand in hers and kissed it--a movement which discomposed
him exceedingly.

"I did not think for one moment that you would desert me, Hubert, if I
wanted you to perform what you had promised."

"Enid, what do you mean? Of course I shall perform what I have promised.
Has Flossy been making you jealous and suspicious? My dear, believe me,
there is no occas