She went away, smiling and kissing her hand, hoping with an intensity of hope which burned within her like a flame, that when the doctor came and talked to Gilbert as had been arranged, the past might be wiped out and a new life begun in this quiet village of East England.
In a minute there was a knock at the bedroom door.
"Come in," Gilbert called out.
Tumpany entered.
Upon the red face of that worthy person there was a grin of sheer delight as he made his bow and scrape.
Then he held up his right arm. He was grasping a leash of mallard, and the metallic blue-green and white upon the wings of the ducks shone in the sun.
Gilbert leapt in his bed, and then put his hand to his bandaged head with a half groan.—"Good God!" he cried, "how the deuce did you get those?"
"First of August, sir. Wildfowling begins!"
"Heavens! so it is. I ought to have been out! I never thought about the date. Damn you for pitching me out of the dog-cart, William!"
"Yessir! You've told me so before," Tumpany answered, his face reflecting the smile upon his master's.