When it had been long dark, and he had withdrawn from the ward for a little, he was all at once hastily summoned back.

He stood by the bedside, his hands behind his back, his face set in a hard gaze upon the pale features on the pillow.

Opposite to him stood the medical man, and a screen placed around the bed shut them off from the rest of the ward.

All at once Lotty's eyes opened.

It seemed as though she recognised her father, for a look of surprise came to her countenance.