ith sparkling eyes and
burning cheeks. He should see in one glance that she was better--almost
well--that there was no need of anxiety on her behalf. And then the
tall, handsome figure appeared in the doorway, and Arthur's voice
cried--

"Peggikens! Up and dressed! This is better than I hoped. How are you,
dear little Peg?"

There was something wrong with the voice, something lacking in the
smile; but his sister was too excited to notice it. She stretched out
her arms towards him, and raised her weak, quavering little voice in a
song of triumph--

"See-ee the conquering he-he-he-he-hero com-ums! Sow-ow-ow-ow-ownd the
trumpet, play--a--a--a--"

"Don't, Peg!" cried Arthur sharply. "Don't, dear!" He was standing by
her side by this time, and suddenly he wrapped his arms round her and
laid his curly head on hers. "I'm plucked, Peg!" he cried, and his
voice was full of tears. "Oh, Peg, I'm plucked! It's all over; I can
never be a soldier. I'm plucked--plucked--plucked!"

"Arthur dear! Arthur darling!" cried Peggy loudly. She clasped her
arms round his neck, and glared over his shoulder, like a tigress whose
young has been threatened with danger. "You plucked! My brother
plucked! Ho! ho! ho!" She gave a shrill peal of laughter. "It's
impossible! You were first of all, the very first. You always are
first. Who was wicked enough, and cruel enough, and false enough, to
say that Arthur Saville was plucked in an examination?"

"Arthur, my boy, what is it? What does it mean? You told us you were
first. How can you possibly be plucked?"

"My--my eyes!" said Arthur faintly. He raised his head from Peggy's
shoulder and looked round with a haggard smile. "The medical exam.
They would not pass me. I was rather blind when I was here before, but
I thought it was with reading too much. I never suspected there was
anything really wrong--never for a moment!"

"Your eyes!" The vicar pressed his hand to his forehead, as if unable
to grasp this sudden shattering of his hopes. "But--but I don't
understand! Your eyes never gave you any trouble when you were here.
You were not short-sighted. One knew, of course, that good sight was
necessary; but there seemed no weakness in that direction. I can't
imagine any cause that can have brought it on."

"I can!" said Arthur drearily. "I got a bad knock at lacrosse two years
ago. I didn't tell you about it, for it wasn't worth while; but my eyes
were bad for