“Do you really mean that, Miss de Lisle?”
“Yes, I do. Oh, here’s mother!” as that lady hurried into the room full of news, and excitement.
After Mons, and the battle of the Aisne, Mr. Hegan, who was badly wounded, was promoted, and got his troop. He made light of his injuries, and speedily returned to the Front. Later on, all through the dreary winter in the muddy trenches, he was cheered by Vera’s letters, and through all the rack and strain of war his unfailing spirits and infectious laugh proved an inestimable boon to his comrades. In action on the Somme he was in the thick of the hottest charges, distinguished himself amazingly; saved the life of a brother officer—but lost his own left arm.
As a certain Red Cross train reached Victoria Station, Miss de Lisle, a Red Cross nurse, was waiting to receive her friend. He had contrived to keep his injury a secret, and when she exclaimed at his empty sleeve, he said:
“It’s all right, Vera. I’ve brought you something in exchange—a bit of ribbon.”
“A bit of ribbon?” she repeated in a doubtful tone.
“Yes, I am proud to tell you that I have been recommended for the Victoria Cross—that is the interest on the King’s Shilling!”
XVI
A DARK HORSE
When Major Mahon died, he left his affairs in such desperate confusion that even a hardened Irish agent, well accustomed to family disasters and unexpected disclosures, was dumbfounded. Kil-Mahon property was mortgaged beyond recovery; the gay, hospitable, hard-riding Major had lived extravagantly and spent precisely as if his capital were a yearly income, and his income pocket-money—and after his funeral came the deluge.