Madge laughed, and went downstairs. She gave a glance at the sconce in which she had lighted the candles; it contained four candles burnt down to the sockets.
The papers had no special news; but later in the day two telegrams arrived. One was for Mrs Harland, the other for Madge.
They tore open the covers with palpitating fingers.
The first dispatch said:
“Flesh wound—very slight.” The second—that addressed to Madge—said: “Thank you, dearest.” They exchanged telegrams, but not a word.
He was invalided home after acting as escort to Cronje down to Cape Town, and saving a gun at Reddersburg (mentioned in despatches), but no one alluded to the wound which he had sustained on Christmas Day in a skirmish at the Modder.
One evening, however, when he was able to sit outside the house, Madge turned to him, saying: “What did you mean by sending me that telegram, ‘Thank you, dearest?”
He gave a laugh.
“I wonder if you have still by you that Medici handkerchief?” he said.