But although I look healthy enough I have never been so strong as I formerly was, since that long illness I had in the hospital at Scutari.' 'And I knew nothing about it!' 'You couldn't, dear, as I didn't write.

What a fool I have been altogether!' He gave a twitch, as of one in pain.

'I won't dance again when this one is over.

The fact is I have travelled a long way to-day, and it seems to have knocked me up a bit.' There could be no doubt that the sergeant-major was unwell, and Selina made herself miserable by still believing that her story was the cause of his ailment.

Suddenly he said in a changed voice, and she perceived that he was paler than ever: 'I must sit down.' Letting go her waist he went quickly to the other room.