We had been great friends, ever since I came out, and their loss has greatly affected me." "You are young, and will find fresh friends," the baron said, briskly.

"Do not let us dwell on the past.

You have now to apply all your energy to getting strong, and if you show as much vigour in that, as in other matters, I hope that in a month's time you will be well on the road towards complete recovery." "I mean to try hard, Baron," Desmond said, with a smile.

"If I continue to gain strength as quickly as I have done during the journey, I shall certainly insist, before long, on being considered convalescent." Day by day, indeed, his strength increased.

At first he wandered about in the park, accompanied by Philip and Anne, for the baron, although somewhat recovered from his attack of gout, still walked with difficulty.