" June , do you mean that ?sx " he exclaimed .sx " Yes , " she returned and her steady gaze conveyed as much as the brief reply .sx He caught his breath and swung back to his own seat .sx He started the car , and sped on at a speed that gradually filled her with alarm .sx " Where are we going ?sx You must turn back !sx " she cried , as a milestone flashed by .sx " We'll go where there can be no turning back , " he replied .sx " We'll drive till midnight , and stay at the first place we come to .sx Then neither of us can ever go back , and the matter will be settled .sx " " Eustace !sx " She caught hold of his arm .sx " You're mad !sx Turn back !sx " " No , " he muttered .sx " Other people give up everything for love , and why not we ?sx Love may not be all , but at least it's more than all the rest .sx I can't give you up , June .sx I won't .sx " That his reckless impulse was due as much to pride and anger , the chagrin of an imperious man thwarted , as to any warmer passion , made it easier for her to recall him , his own natural good sense and worship of the conventions coming to her aid , but June had her hands over his , trying to force him to turn the car , which performed some queer antics during the brief struggle , and she was imploring him , half sobbing , before she succeeded in persuading him to bring the car to a standstill .sx " Oh , turn round and drive back at once , " she cried , sobbing openly now the danger was past .sx " How could you be so mad ?sx " He allowed her to shed agitated tears for some moments , without offering a word of apology , his mouth compressed , his features cruel in their clear-cut rigidity .sx " I'm sorry , " he said then .sx " And nothing will make you alter your decision ?sx " " Please don't talk about it any more .sx Drive home .sx " " You think you'll make him happy by marrying him out of pity ?sx " he asked .sx " It isn't pity .sx I'm fond of him .sx I was glad when he asked me to be his wife , and if- if meeting you earlier might have made a difference , it can't do now .sx It would be mean to throw him aside , just to suit my convenience .sx " " If he were well- " began Hilton .sx " I'd act exactly the same , " she broke in .sx " Please drive back .sx It's quite dark .sx " Hilton gave a sigh of fierce protest , and in another minute they were rushing back along the way they had come .sx AFTER a temporary improvement , Frank Elvington's health ceased to show any advance .sx Even his own optimism became slightly dimmed .sx Whilst still confident of his recovery , he did not talk of it and his marriage with such eagerness as before , obviously regarding both as some distance away .sx June watched him with an ache in her heart .sx She seldom saw Hilton , both she and he avoiding each other as much as possible , and she devoted herself to Frank , trying to put Hilton out of her mind .sx One day , when she found Frank preoccupied , he confessed that he had been strongly advised to leave England , and had refused , at any rate , for the present .sx " But why not go , dear ?sx " she urged .sx " You must do anything to get better .sx " " Because I don't want to leave you , " he confessed .sx " You mustn't hesitate to go anywhere where there's the least chance of hastening your recovery .sx " " Oh- well , " he said reluctantly .sx " I've promised to think of it .sx " Whilst he hesitated , June met Dr. Rother , who told her that Frank's only chance of life was to sail immediately for South Africa .sx He and Dr. Hilton , he added , had done wonders in keeping him alive as long as they had done , but nothing more could be done for him in England .sx The warm climate of South Africa was his last and only chance .sx June had not thought his danger so great , and hearing that Dr. Hilton was still with him , she hastened to Cliff Top , and was in time to stop Hilton as he crossed the wide entrance-hall to the door .sx He was passing her with an inclination of his head .sx " No , " she said , unsteadily .sx " I must speak to you , please !sx " He followed her into the room near by .sx " Dr. Rother says that Frank must go away at once , " she said .sx " He has just consented to do so , " replied Hilton .sx " But is it true that this is his last chance ?sx " she asked , and when he averted his head , not answering , " Doctor Rother says it's his only chance , " she added distressfully .sx He turned his head sharply looking down at her with a ruthless directness , and his words fell with icy distinctness .sx " It is not his only chance , " he said .sx " It is no chance at all .sx " June turned white , her lips falling apart , speechless .sx " He may never come back , " announced Hilton deliberately .sx She was horrified .sx For all her fears , it came as a shock to hear Frank's doom pronounced in so many words .sx She looked out of the window to where the leaves were already turning to pale yellow and deep copper , a mellow sky above them and she thought of all the beautiful things awaiting his enjoyment , of all the many years of life he was to miss .sx " Are you sure ?sx " she whispered .sx " Yes .sx " " He doesn't know ?sx " she faltered , and professional instinct brought his brows together .sx " No , " he said , " and you must not allow him to guess .sx I have told you he may never come back , but that must not be repeated to him .sx A patient's optimism has performed miracles before now .sx " " Of course , he must not be robbed of hope .sx But you don't expect any miracle to happen ?sx " " No .sx " There was a little pause , whilst June mourned .sx Remembering Frank's unwillingness to be separated from her- " Then is it any use sending him away to- to die among strangers ?sx " she asked .sx " He doesn't want to go .sx " " He must go , " replied Hilton .sx " However useless , we must insist upon everything being done which possibly can be done .sx " " Yes , of course , " she assented , sadly .sx " You see , June , " said Hilton , softly , " you cannot put another man in my place even if you wish .sx " " Don't talk of that , " she begged .sx " How long- how long do you expect ?sx " " It may be as long as seven or eight months , but you'll be married to me before that , June .sx " " Oh , no !sx " Even his attraction was powerless to affect her at that moment .sx " How can you mention such a thing ?sx " " Our marriage won't hasten his end by so much as a second , for he need not know of it , " remarked Hilton , " and I cannot pretend to love you less , now I know you're going to be mine .sx " He stepped to the door and opened it for her to pass out .sx She could not answer .sx She knew it was only natural that he should not be deeply affected by Frank's death , and equally natural that he should be pleased at the possibility of making her his wife , yet there seemed something callous about his calmness .sx She braced herself up to face Frank , but the ordeal was far worse than she had expected , for she found him in quite good spirits , waiting eagerly to tell her the news .sx " June , darling , I'm going to South Africa , " he announced .sx " I've just promised Hilton .sx He says I haven't a chance here , but he's certain that a year out there will make me as well as ever I've been .sx He's told me of another case similar to mine , which he sent out there with excellent results .sx I didn't tell you , darling , but I hadn't much faith in the idea before .sx I thought I'd perhaps go away from you and- all to no purpose , and if I wasn't going to get better I wanted to stay with you .sx But now I feel satisfied it's just a year's absence and then- oh , June !sx - health and you !sx No price is too great for that !sx " It took all her courage and self-control to hide her tragic knowledge from him and to respond to his cheerful talk .sx She tried to remember what Hilton had said of the miracles performed by optimism and the desire for life , and to will passionately that Frank's belief in his recovery would add another miracle to the annals of the sick .sx " But oh , June , to leave you all that time !sx " he exclaimed .sx " Eight or nine months at the very least , he said , and most probably a year .sx Will you forget me in all that time ?sx " " No , Frank , I'll be marking the days off on the calendar and waiting for your return , " she said , though she choked over the words .sx He pressed her fingers to his lips , afterwards holding her hand close against his cheek .sx " I'd rather stay here and die , with you beside me to the end , " he whispered , " than go away for all that long dreary time and then not return to you after all .sx Supposing something happens to part us , June ?sx " " Nothing will , " she declared , with the tears running down her cheeks , her hands holding him protectingly .sx " Because do you know why , Frank ?sx Because we're not going to be parted .sx " She spoke vehemently in the impulse that had come to her , the passionate desire to comfort and serve , to sweeten his tragedy .sx " I'm going with you , " she announced , firmly .sx " June , darling !sx " He raised himself , his face irradiated .sx " Do you really mean you'll marry me before I go ?sx " She nodded , a smile quivering under her tears , and as he clasped her to him , kissing and thanking her , she had no regret for her impulse of pity , only a great thankfulness that she could at least make his last months happy .sx " Sweetheart , I'll ask so little of you , " he whispered , when his first rush of gratitude was over .sx " I only want to have you with me .sx You're not going to marry a miserable invalid .sx We'll have a real honeymoon when I'm well .sx It will be something to get well for .sx Until that time you'll be Mrs. Elvington only to other people .sx To me you'll still be my beautiful sweetheart who's waiting for me .sx And oh , darling , you won't have to wait long !sx I'll make such haste to get well .sx " Every moment she remained with him increased her satisfaction with the step she had taken , and when she left him she felt more at peace than she had done since Eustace Hilton had come into her life .sx She had undertaken a definite service , one that both her head and her heart approved , and which left no room for personal considerations .sx Thus it was that when Hilton called that evening , she was beyond his power to influence .sx She was in her room , making out a list of the many things she required to take with her out of England , when his car stopped at the gate .sx Thinking it must be Frank who had sent for her , she leaned out of the window , alarmed when she recognised the car , fearing he had brought her ill news of Frank .sx She did not imagine that he would pay her a visit except in Frank's interest , and when she hurried into the room where her mother was trying in vain to learn the reason of his visit , her first words were of her fiancee [SIC] .sx " No , " he replied , " there is nothing to be anxious about , but I shall be obliged if you can give me a few moments alone .sx " Mrs. Arnage rose somewhat haughtily , taking her departure with distinct displeasure .sx She might have borne much for Dr. Hilton once , but as mother of the so soon-to-be Mrs. Frank Elvington , of Cliff Top , she resented his cool dismissal .sx " What is it ?sx " asked June , when she was alone with Hilton .sx She could not think what had brought him .sx " Elvington telephoned me to announce your immediate marriage , " he replied , through his teeth , it seemed , his tightened lips moved so little .sx " Oh !sx " June was simultaneously relieved and troubled .sx Relieved that his call meant no fresh ill to Frank , distressed and perturbed that he should be going to reopen personal matters which now more than ever should be buried and forgotten .sx