The child continued her task, too absorbed to answer.
The stranger put his hand on her shoulder, and repeated the question.
"Digby," answered the child, almost unconsciously; and as she spoke the man's senses began to return. In a few minutes more he had sufficiently recovered to falter forth his thanks to the stranger. But the last took his hand, and said, in a voice at once tremulous and soothing, "Is it possible that I see once more an old brother in arms? Algernon Digby, I do not forget you; but it seems England has forgotten."
A hectic flush spread over the soldier's face, and he looked away from the speaker as he answered,—
"My name is Digby, it is true, sir; but I do not think we have met before. Come, Helen, I am well now,—we will go home."
"Try and play with that great dog, my child," said the stranger,—"I want to talk with your father."
The child bowed her submissive head, and moved away; but she did not play with the dog.
"I must reintroduce myself formally, I see," quoth the stranger. "You were in the same regiment with myself, and my name is L'Estrange."
"My Lord," said the soldier, rising, "forgive me that—"
"I don't think that it was the fashion to call me 'my lord' at the mess- table. Come, what has happened to you?—on half-pay?"