earth can't equal that. You know, after he was dead, they found her
miniature on him--a thing in a gold case, with their names engraved
inside. He used to wear it round his neck like a charm. It was by that
they identified him--that and his signet-ring, and one or two letters.
Scamp though I was, I had the grace not to rob the dead. They sent the
things to his wife. I've often wondered what she did with them."

"I can tell you that," said the doctor quietly. "She keeps them among
her greatest treasures."

Ford turned sharply on his pillows, and stifled an exclamation of pain.

"You know her still, then?" he said.

"She is my wife," the doctor answered.

A long silence followed his words. The wounded soldier lay with closed
eyes and drawn brows. He seemed to be unconscious of everything save
physical pain.

Suddenly he seemed to recover himself, and looked up.

"You," he said slowly, "you are Montagu Durant, the fellow she was
engaged to before she married Rotherby."

The doctor bent his head.

"Yes," he said. "I am Montagu Durant."

"Rotherby's friend," Ford went on. "The chap who stuck to him through
thick and thin--to be betrayed in the end. I know all about you, you
see, though you haven't placed me yet."

"No, I can't place you," Durant said. "I don't think we ever knew each
other very well. You will have to tell me who you are."

"Later--later," said Ford. "No, you never knew me very well. It was
always you and Rotherby, you and Rotherby. You never looked at any one
else, till that row at the 'Varsity when he got kicked out. Yes," with a
sudden, sharp sigh, "I was a 'Varsity man too. I admired Leonard
Rotherby in those days. Poor old Leo! He knew how to hit a boundary as
well as any fellow! You never forgave him, I suppose, for marrying your
girl?"

There was a pause, and the fevered eyes sought Durant's face. The answer
came at length very slowly.

"I could have forgiven him," Durant said, "if he had stuck to her and
made her happy."

"Ah! There came the rub. But did Rotherby ever stick to anything? It was
a jolly good thing he died--for all concerned. Yet, you know, he cared
for her to the last. Blackguard as he was, he carried her in his heart
right up to his death. I tell you I was with him, and I know."

There was strong insistence in the man's words. Durant could feel the
racing pulse leap and quiver under his hand. He leaned forward a little,
looking closely into the drawn face.

"I thi