And as she thought of him, her woman's soul, winged by its passion of patriotism, seemed to pass out into the night across the sea, till it stood beside the English hosts.
'Forces and Powers of the Universe, be with them!--strengthen the strong, uphold the weak, comfort the dying!--for in them lies the hope of the world.' Her life hung on the prayer.

The irresponsive quiet of the night over the Mannering woods and park, with nothing but the wind for voice, seemed to her unbearable.

And it only answered to the apathy within doors.

Why, the Squire had scarcely mentioned the war since her return! Neither he nor Mrs.Gaddesden had asked her for an evening paper, though there had been a bad London raid the night before.

She had seen a letter 'on active service,' and addressed, she thought, in Desmond's handwriting, lying on the library table; and it seemed to her there was a French ordnance map near it.