When John read the telegram from his aunt, Lady de la Paule, his emotion was so great that he staggered a little, and a friend standing by in the billet took out his flask and gave him some brandy, thinking that he must have received bad news.
Then it seemed as though he went mad!
The repression of his life appeared to fall from him, he became as a new man. All his comrades were astonished at him, and a Scotch Corporal was heard to remark that it was "na canny—the Captain was fey."
The Ardayres were saved! The family would carry on!
Fondest love welled up in his heart for Amaryllis. If he only came through he would devote his life to showing her his gratitude and showering everything upon her that her heart could desire—and perhaps—perhaps the joy of the baby would make up for the absence of Denzil. This thought stayed with him and comforted him.
Lady de la Paule had wired:
"A splendid little son born 11:45 A.M. seventh May—Amaryllis well—all love."
And an hour or two before this Denzil had also received the news from his
Mother. He, too, had grown exalted and thanked God.
So the day that the Germans were to fail at Ypres, and destiny was to accomplish itself for these two men—dawned.
* * * * *