deepen again in Mrs. Snowdon's cheek, and lit a spark in her softened eyes.
Her lips curled and her voice was sweetly sarcastic as she answered, "Yes,
it is charming to devote one's life to these dear invalids, and find one's reward
in their gratitude. Youth, beauty, health, and happiness are small sacrifices
if one wins a little comfort for the poor sufferers."
The girl felt the sarcasm under the soft words and drew back with a troubled
face.
Maurice smiled, and glanced from one to the other, saying significantly, "Well
for me that my little nurse loves her labor, and finds no sacrifice in it. I
am fortunate in my choice."
"I trust it may prove so--" Mrs. Snowdon got no further, for at that
moment dinner was announced, and Sir Jasper took her away. Annon approached
with him and offered his arm to Miss Treherne, but with an air of surprise,
and a little gesture of refusal, she said coldly:
"My cousin always takes me in to dinner. Be good enough to escort the
major." And with her hand on the arm of
