"Yes, Hugh, it was Mari Vone."
"God bless her, and thou, Gwladys! Where wert thou?"
"Oh, Hugh, those terrible flames seemed to scorch my life away. I was in a faint in my mother's arms. Thou know'st of old I am a coward!"
"Poor little one, no wonder!" After another pause, he asked, "Is there anything left of the sail-shed?"
"Nothing, Hugh bâch! but don't thee speak another word, until the doctor comes."
And so he once more lay silent and motionless, until Dr. Hughes' step was heard on the stair. Gwladys hastened to meet him with a smile of gladness.
"Oh, doctor, he is much better!"
"Well, go down, Gwladys, while I look at him." And she went, wondering at the doctor's serious looks.
"Well," said Dr. Hughes, after an examination of his patient, "I am glad to find you so easy, so free from pain; but we are old friends, Hugh Morgan, and I will not deceive you. You have been seriously—h'm, h'm—caton pawb! Why do women always pull the blinds down!" And he rose and fumbled awkwardly at the blinds to hide the moisture which gathered in his eyes. "You are a brave man, Hugh Morgan, and I think I ought to tell you——"
"Don't trouble to tell me anything, doctor. There is something broken here, which not all your skill can mend," and he laid his strong brown hand upon the region of his heart.