“Why, mother darling!” he exclaimed, “how on earth did you get here?”

“I came across in a smack to Ostend, Ralph, and then came on by carriage.  I got here last night, and learned at the quartermaster-general’s office that you were wounded and were somewhere in Brussels, at least they believed you were here somewhere, but they could not say where.  They let me have a copy of the list of the houses that had been allotted for the use of wounded officers.  It was too late to begin the search last night, but I have been three hours going round this morning.  I saw the surgeon downstairs and he told me—­” and her lips quivered and her eyes filled with tears.

“That I had lost my left arm, mother.  Well, that is nothing to fret about when thousands have been killed.  One can do very well without a left arm; and I think, on the whole, that I have been wonderfully lucky.  Denis!” But Denis was not in the room, having, as soon as he had discovered who Ralph’s visitor was, gone out to leave them alone.  “And have you made this journey all by yourself, mother?”

“No, my dear.  Mr. Tallboys was good enough to come over to take care of me by the way.”

“Mr. Tallboys, mother!  How did he know that you were coming?”

“Well, I told him, Ralph.  But that is a long story, and you shall hear it another day.  The doctor said you had better not do much talking now.  Mr. Tallboys will stay here a day or two and then go home.  I intend to take a room somewhere close by and install myself here as your head nurse.”

“I shan’t want much nursing, mother; but I shall be delighted to have you with me.  I have a capital servant.  The man I told you about in my letters.  He is a most amusing fellow and very much attached to me.  Do you know, he got leave directly the battle was over, and was all night walking by the side of the ambulance wagon.  He is a capital fellow.  By the way, mother, I suppose the will has not turned up yet?  You said in your last letter you had great hopes of its being found.”

“It has been found, Ralph; and it is all just as we supposed.  But how it was found, or anything about it, you mustn’t ask at present.  It is a long story, and I must insist now that you lie quiet and go to sleep.”

“Well, I will try, mother.  Will you just look outside the door and see if Denis is there?  Denis, this is my mother,” he said as the soldier came in.  “She has come over to help nurse me; and as she will be principally with me in the daytime, you will be at liberty to be out whenever you like.”

“Sure, and I am glad the lady has come, Mr. Conway; though I would have done the best I could for you.  Still, a man is but a poor crater in a sick-room.  Can I get you anything ma’am?”

“Well, I have had nothing this morning, Denis; and if you could get me a cup of tea and some bread and butter, if it is not against the rules, I should be very glad.”

“Sure, I will do that, ma’am, with the greatest pleasure in life,” Denis said; and presently returned bringing up a tray with tea, bread and butter, and a plate of cold meat.