CHAPTER XXV.
MEANWHILE John, it will be remembered, left Mooifontein for Pretoria towards the end of December, and with him went all the life and light of the place.
"Dear me, Bessie," said old Silas Croft on the evening after he had started, "the house seems very dull without John"-- a remark in which Bessie, who was weeping secretly in the corner, heartily concurred.
Then, a few days afterwards, came the news of the investment of Pretoria, but no news of John.

They ascertained that he had passed Standerton in safety, but beyond that nothing could be heard of him.

Day after day passed, but without tidings, and at last, one evening, Bessie broke into a passion of hysterical tears.
"What did you send him for ?" she asked of her uncle.

"It was ridiculous--I knew that it was ridiculous.

He could not help Jess or bring her back; the most that could happen was that they would be both shut up together.