much of Jervis, for her mind had been filled with her
coming visit to London.

She was but very slightly acquainted with Sir John
Blake, and she felt rather frightened of him -- of the
father whom Jervis loved and feared. True, he had
written her a very kind, if a very short, note; but she
had been afraid that she would not please him -- that
he would not approve of Jervis's choice....

At last the train came in. There was a great crowd
of people, and her eyes sought in vain for the tall, still
active figure she vaguely remembered. Then suddenly
she saw Lady Blake -- Lady Blake looking about
her with an anxious, bewildered face, which changed
to eager relief when the girl grasped her hand.

"Is this Rose? Dear little Rose! I am alone, dear
child. I have not brought a maid. My husband went
down to Southampton early this morning to wait for
the hospital ship. I was so grateful for your mother's
kind telegram. It will be an infinite comfort to stay
with you both. But I think Sir John may find it more
convenient to stay at an hotel." She grew a little
pink, and Rose Otway, whose perceptions as to a great
deal that is sad or strange in human nature, had grown
of late, felt a little rush of anger against Sir John
Blake.

As they left the station, Rose was able to ask the
questions she was longing to ask. But Lady Blake
knew nothing. "No, we have had no details at all.
Only just the telegram telling us that he has been
severely wounded -- severely, you know, is much less
serious than dangerously -- and that he was being sent
to Sir Jacques Robey's hospital at Witanbury. It
seems so strange that Jervis should be coming _here_ --

[[243]]

p242 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p243w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p244

v?