"Not for a while, I am afraid. I know it is difficult to be patient,
but driving will be almost as good, won't it?"

"Dearest, of course it will be better than anything so long as you are
with me. Believe me I am not impatient. I want nothing in the world
but you--I didn't mean that. What do I care if I never see a horse
again? Do you know, my darling, I wouldn't really mind if I never got
quite strong so long as we were together, but I can't bear it for you.
You are so good, so dear, but I know you must feel tied to the side of
an invalid. You who ought to have nothing but the sunshine of life,
and who should never know a hint of shadow if I could spare it you."

"I have told you that you must not think of me," replied the girl.
"Now, if you will lie down I will get my work. I have been very idle
to-day."

He allowed her to place the cushions and establish him in comfort, and
then she fetched her embroidery frame from the corner where it stood
and seated herself in a low chair beside him.

"Phil," he said suddenly, "you are changed."

"In what way?" she asked quietly.

"You are different to my memory of you--before the shadows--a little
different to what you were. Your face has changed too. You were
always beautiful, but now your face has gained in beauty, although I
should have said that would be impossible. You were so--oh, I don't
know how to describe it--so illusive, like a streak of fairy gold
flitting through life, but now you are so steadfast and so dear--such a
strength to me in my weakness. So thoughtful and so tender to me when
I have been thrown a helpless log upon your hands."

"You make too much of the little I can do for you," she said lightly.

"Where did you learn to be such a good nurse?" he asked with a smile.

"I don't know. I am afraid I cannot boast of much previous experience!
Perhaps you thought a woman could not rise to an occasion, but I think
they generally can."

"I have found that you can," he said tenderly. "But you were always
perfect." He spoke the words with a simplicity which robbed them of
all extravagance.

"Don't say that," she replied jestingly. "No one is perfect, and I
least of all. If you expect perfection in this world you will be
disappointed when you find the flaw."

"I shall love it when I find it, if I ever do."

She made no reply, and for a while he lay in silence watching her busy
fingers manipulating the gleaming gold thread with which she