"John, dear, may I see you a moment?
"Betty."
The doctor assured her that he was rapidly recovering, though restless and depressed. She caught her breath in a little gasp of surprise at the sight of his white face, pale and spiritual looking now from the loss of blood.
Her eyes were shining with intense excitement as she swiftly crossed the room, dropped on her knees beside his cot and seized his hands:
"O John, John, can you ever forgive me!"
He slipped his arm around her neck and held her a long time in silence.
The men in the room paid no attention to the little drama. It was happening every day around them.
"Oh, dearest," she went on eagerly, "I tried to put you out of my heart, but I couldn't. I am yours, all yours, body and soul. Love asks but one question—do you love me?"
"Forever!" he whispered.
"In my loneliness and despair I tried to give myself to Ned, but I couldn't, dear. I would have told him so had I been able to reach him—though I dreaded to hurt him."