e true that peace has been proclaimed, then the Boers have
preserved their independence, and this last fact has been excluded
from the cables in view of the approaching Coronation. But my own
conviction is that there is no peace at all, but that these cables
have been sent to reassure the English public, and to make it possible
to celebrate the crowning of the King in a splendour unclouded by the
horrors of the South African war. Believe me, when the Coronation is
over you will hear of a mysterious renewal of hostilities."

The man was silent, troubled. He had not the heart to argue with the
girl, perhaps he thought, and rightly thought, that this strange
illusion of the brain, this confident belief in her own convictions,
would help to tide her over the first days to follow.

"I cannot understand," he said, "how Mrs. ---- could have asked you to
shake hands with her."

"Oh, I was wrong," Hansie said. "She meant it kindly. How could _she_
understand? I will apologise--to-morrow."

* * * * *

It had been arranged that Hansie should spend a few days in London to
see some friends before proceeding to Holland.

She found the mighty metropolis in the throes of preparation for an
event of unparalleled magnificence.

Every sign of splendour and rejoicing was a fresh sword through the
heart of our sorely tried young patriot.

The people with whom she stayed, old Pretoria friends, had not an
inkling of what was passing in her mind.

Their warm and loving greetings, their loud expressions of delight
that the war had come to an end at last, were so many pangs added to
her grief.

"You will come with us to the Coronation?" her hostess said; "we have
splendid reserved seats, and this event will be unparalleled in the
history of England."

Again the unfortunate girl found herself recoiling, taken by surprise;
again she said:

"Oh, I _could not_! Not to save my life!"

"Not go to see the Coronation! I am surprised at you. Very few South
African girls are lucky enough to benefit by such an opportunity. I
must say I think it very narrow-minded of you. You disappoint me. The
war is over now, and while we are all trying to promote a feeling of
good-fellowship you nourish such an unworthy and narrow-minded
spirit."

Narrow-minded, unworthy!

The iron entered deep into her soul; and when she looks back now and
takes a brief survey of what she suffered throughout those years, that
moment st