Her blanched and rigid face was turned towards the open door, while he, standing partly behind it, could not see what it was that had so moved her.
"Hector!" she gasped, with dry lips.
A quick step in the hall, and a slim, weather-tanned young man sprang forward into the room, and caught her up in his arms as if she had been a feather.
"You darling!" he said; "I knew that I would surprise you.

I came right up from Plymouth by the night train.

And I have long leave, and plenty of time to get married.

Isn't it jolly, dear Laura ?" He pirouetted round with her in the exuberance of his delight.

As he spun round, however, his eyes fell suddenly upon the pale and silent stranger who stood by the door.