They carried their burden buoyantly, it was
such a little way. The lamp was still holding its own against the
paleness from the windows when the meaning finally went out of his clasp
of Hilda's hand, without a struggle to stay, and she saw that in an
instant when she was not looking he had closed his eyes, upon the world.
She sat on beside him for a long time after that, watching tenderly, and
would not withdraw her hand--it seemed an abandonment.
* * * * *
Three hours later Miss Howe, passing out of the hospital gate, was
overtaken by Duff Lindsay, riding, with a look of singular animation and
vigour. He flung himself off his horse to speak to her, and as he
approached he drew from his inner coat-pocket the brown envelope of a
telegram.
"Good-morning," he said. "You do look fagged. I have a--curious--piece
of news."
"Alicia told me that you were starting early this morning for Madras!"
"I should have been but for this."
"Read it to me," Hilda said, "I'm tired."
"Oh, do you very much mind? I would rather----"
She took the missive; it was dated the day before, Colombo, and read:
"Do not expect me. Was married this morning to Colonel Markin.
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