She saw herself sweeping through the magnificent rooms, giving orders, inviting guests, entertaining royalty, driving about the country in splendid motors.

It was a waking dream, and though she never uttered a word, the animation of her thoughts infused a similar animation into her aspect, and made her almost unconscious of her neighbours.

Captain Marsworth made several attempts to win her attention before she heard him.
'Yes.' She turned at last an absent glance upon him.
'Miss Farrell talks of our all going over to the hospital after dinner.
She and Sir William often spend the evening there,' said Captain Marsworth, quite aware from Miss Farrell's frequent glances in his direction that he was not in her opinion doing his duty with Miss Cookson.
'Will it take us long ?' said Bridget, the vivacity of her look dying out.
'As long as you please to stay!' laughed the Captain, drily.
* * * * * That passage after dinner through the convalescent wards of the finely equipped hospital was to Nelly Sarratt an almost intolerable experience.
She went bravely through it, leaving, wherever she talked to a convalescent, an impression of shy sweetness behind her, which made a good many eyes follow her as Farrell led her through the rooms.

But she was thankful when it was over; and when, at last, she was alone in her room for the night, she flew--for consolation--to the drawer in which she had locked her writing-desk, and the letters she had received that morning.

The post had just arrived as they were leaving Rydal, and she had hastily torn open a letter from George, and thrust the others into a large empty envelope.