I disturbed you,' he said, remorsefully.
'Oh no, do come in.' She led the way into the drawing-room.
'I wanted--specially--to tell you some things I heard at Aldershot to-day, which I thought might cheer you,' said Farrell.
And sitting beside her, while Mrs.Simpson lit a fire and spread a white tea-table, he repeated various stories of the safe return of 'missing' men which he had collected for her that morning, including the narrative of an escaped prisoner, who, although badly wounded, had managed to find his way back, at night, from the neighbourhood of Brussels, through various hairbreadth adventures and disguises, and after many weeks to the British lines.

He brought the tale to her, as an omen of hope, together with his other gleanings; and under the influence of his cheerful voice and manner, Nelly's aspect changed; the light came back into her eyes, which hung upon him, as Farrell talked on, persuading himself, as he persuaded her.

So that presently, when tea came in, and the kettle boiled, she was quite ready to pour out for him, to ask him questions about his night journey, and thank him timidly for all his kindness.
'But this--this is too grand for us!'-- she said, looking round her.

'We must find a lodging soon.' He begged her earnestly to let the flat be of use to her, and she, embarrassed and unwilling, but dreading to hurt his feelings, was compelled at last to submit to a week's stay.
Then he got up to go; and she was very sorry to say good-bye to him.

As for him, in her wistful and gracious charm, she had never seemed to him more lovely.