So that his growing conviction that his active military career was over had been the recent cause in him of much bitterness of soul.

It was a bitter realisation, and a recent one.

He had been wounded at Neuve Chapelle in March, and up to July he had been confident of complete and rapid recovery.
Well, there was of course some compensation.

A post in the War Office--in the Intelligence Department--would, he understood, be offered him; and by October he meant to be at work.

Meanwhile an old school and college friendship between himself and 'Bill Farrell,' together with the special facilities at Carton for the treatment of neuralgia after wounds, had made him an inmate for several months of the special wing devoted to such cases in the splendid hospital; though lately by way of a change of surroundings, he had been lodging with the old Rector of the village of Carton, whose house was kept--and well kept--by a sweet-looking and practical granddaughter, herself an orphan.
Marsworth had connections in high quarters, and possessed some considerable means.