Mollie looked gently back at him.
"Are you better?" she asked.
"I am always better when you are by. You don't know what you are to me."
"Hush!" said Mollie. "I know exactly what I am—your sister, your friend, and nurse."
"You are far, far more. Oh, I can't help it!" he said under his breath. "You must know what you are to me; you must know what I feel for you. I am a coward to speak of it, but just now I—your presence, the look in your eyes, unmans me."
"Think of Kitty, and you will recover your manhood."
Mollie spoke hurriedly. She did not want him to say any more. She went out into the night. She was very tired, and the healing and comforting stars shone down upon her. The Boers were sending a searchlight over Ladysmith, and as Mollie quickened her steps she wondered whether they meant to send shells into the little town during the night. But no firing was heard. An orderly going past suddenly stopped and spoke quickly.
"Have you noticed anything, nurse?" he said.
"No," she replied; "what do you mean?"
The words had scarcely passed her lips before there came a sharp report, a screaming noise, and a loud explosion. Mollie turned in some astonishment.