"My dear," he said, "your uncle wishes me to tell you that there is news of your father—"
"Is he dead?" Josephine interrupted, her voice betraying the agony of her mind. "That's what I want to know! Is he dead?"
"No, no!" Dr. Farrant assured her. Then, as she drew a long, gasping breath of relief, he continued: "But he has been wounded and sent back to Boulogne."
He placed her in a chair as he spoke. Had he not done so she would have fallen, for she had turned dizzy and faint. In a few minutes she felt better, and looked up appealingly into the kind eyes which were watching her so earnestly and sympathetically.
"Ah!" Dr. Farrant said, "you are a true soldier's daughter, I see; you are going to show yourself a brave girl!"
"Will father die?" Josephine questioned; "oh, do you think he will die?"
"Oh, my dear, don't suggest it!" sobbed Miss Basset; "oh, no, no, no!"
Josephine paid no heed to her aunt. All her attention was given to Dr. Farrant.
"I will tell you all we know," he said; "do not fear that I will keep anything back. It was reported in an evening paper yesterday that your father was wounded, and Mr. Basset asked me to ascertain for him if the report was correct. As we were not sure we thought it better not to mention it to you last night. First thing this morning I telegraphed to the War Office, and have heard in reply that Captain Basset has been wounded by shrapnel in the face and head—"
"Seriously?" broke in Josephine. Then, as Dr. Farrant gravely assented, she uttered a faint moaning cry and covered her face with her hands.