But abscess after abscess had formed--a leading nerve had been injured--it might be months before he could use it again.

And meanwhile the plain but bright-faced girl beside him was watching over him; he lodged with her parents as his own were dead; and they were to be married soon.

No chance of his going out again! The girl's father would give him work in his garage.

They had the air of persons escaped from shipwreck and ashamed almost of their own secret happiness, while others were still battling with and sinking in the waves.
* * * * * A flowery lodge, a long drive through green stretches of park, with a heather fell for background--and then the motor, leaving to one side a huge domed pile with the Union Jack floating above it, ran through a wood, and drew up in front of Carton Cottage, a low building on the steps of which stood Sir William Farrell.
'Delighted to see you! Come in, and let Cicely give you some tea.
They'll see to your luggage!' He led in Nelly, and Bridget followed, glancing from side to side, with an eye shrewdly eager, an eye that took in and appraised all it saw.

A cottage indeed! It had been built by Sir William's father, for his only sister, a maiden lady, to whom he was much attached.