idea how involuntary was all this thinking!"

"And you never cried or lost your head?"

"I had not the slightest leaning that way. All I wanted was to die
'decently and in order,'" Honor returned, smiling reminiscently. "I did
not want to make a scene and upset Captain Dalton's nerves. Once, while
feeling faint and sick, I gave him messages. I wanted him to tell Mother
that I did not mind dying, a bit. That was not strictly true, for I love
life as much as any one else, but I thought it would comfort her. I sent
her my love and said that if I had to die, I was sure it was best for
me, because everything happens for the best. 'Do you really believe
that?' he asked. 'I am not quite sure I do,' said I, 'but I must think
of everything that will cheer Mother and help her to be reconciled if I
have to go.'"

"How long were you obliged to be in suspense?"

"Time passed so fast that I had been there four hours before he judged
it was safe to bring me home. He drove me in his car and carried me to
my bed where the ayah took over charge. He then went about his other
duties. He was so kind and wonderful to me...." The colour rushed into
Honor's face at a memory that would not be suppressed. "Just before he
left, he came and stood beside me, looking so queer...."

"How?" Joyce asked curiously. The only expression familiar to her on the
doctor's face was quizzical amusement.

"He has rather wonderful eyes," Honor said reminiscently, "and they
seemed suddenly soft and misty. 'You are quite a heroine, Miss Honor,'
he said. 'I shall think of you often when I am alone in my diggings, as
the bravest girl I know;' and without any warning he took my hand and
kissed it, ever so reverently, almost as though it were the hand of a
queen, and was gone."

"Didn't he come again?"

"Many times to see how the wound was doing. The swelling had to be
fomented--he had shown me how--the ayah was quite a brick about learning
the way. Father was there too, and Mother had returned. Poor Mother wept
enough for two, and Father drank a stiff whisky-and-soda to steady his
nerves. Altogether it was a ghastly experience. I wonder what particular
kind of snake it was!"

"It was evidently poisonous, and the bite would have killed you if the
doctor had not found you in time," said Joyce.

"I have no doubt of it." Honor became suddenly aware of the lateness of
the hour and rose to go. "I shall have to dress for dinner, and there's
only a quarter of an