During the long weeks of his illness, his mental picture of her had been colored by the sadness of their last meeting.Now the picture was torn aside and a new one thrust into its place, and the new one seemed garish to his weary nerves.
"Weldon! Have you risen from the grave?"
He turned sharply, to find himself face to face with the captain of his former troop.
"Merely from hospital," he answered."I have been lying up for repairs."The other man nodded.
"I know; and thereby adding to the glamour which surrounds a man elect for the V.C.Are you all right again?"Weldon's voice hardened to match the strain he was putting upon his control.
"Absolutely.I am sailing for home, next week.""And taking a farewell view of the place, before you go? Then come to meet the prettiest girl in Cape Town."For an instant, Weldon hesitated.Then, reassured by the direction taken by his guide, he followed, while the strains of the waltz came ever more distinctly to his ears.His companion craned his neck to reconnoitre.
"She is dancing now; but she will be through in a moment.There," he added, as the music rose to a crashing finale; "that is over, and, by George, here she is! Miss Dent, may I introduce another war-worn veteran, Mr.Weldon?"The shock came so suddenly that neither of them had an opportunity to prepare to resist it.It was Weldon who spoke first, however, and his voice was level, for he was generous enough to take none of the advantage which so plainly was all upon his side.
"Miss Dent and I are old acquaintances," he said quietly.
Fortunately the captain was garrulous.
"Another proof of the smallness of the world," he said jovially."In time, I shall learn the futility of introductions.One is always pointing out next-door neighbors to each other's notice.By the way, Weldon, didn't you know Frazer rather well? I used to meet him at your house so often, Miss Dent."Ethel's fingers shut upon the sticks of her fan.
"Yes," she assented."Captain Frazer was one of our best friends."All at once, the face of the young captain grew grave.
"I remember now," he said quite slowly."But his loss was a sorrow to us all.His place can never be entirely filled."There came a momentary pause.Then, as the captain's broad shoulders vanished in the heart of the crowd, Weldon turned and looked Ethel squarely between the eyes.
"Believe me, Miss Dent," he said simply; "this is none of my doing."She made no pretence of misunderstanding him.Instead of that, her quiet voice was full of bitterness, as she gave brief answer,--"Quite obviously, Mr.Weldon."
"Thank you for doing me that justice," he said, after an instant when their meeting eyes flashed like meeting blades of steel.
"Stuart had no notion that he was ****** a mess of things."She faced him a little proudly.
