"It does not concern any of them, Jane. It is about myself."
"But what can it be, about yourself?"
"They—will—not——Will you listen to the news with a brave heart?" he broke off, with a smile, and the most cheering look he could call up to his face.
"Oh yes." She smiled too. She thought it could be nothing very bad.
"They will not insure my life, Jane."
Her heart stood still. "But why not?"
"They consider it too great a risk. They fancy I am not strong."
A sudden flush to her face; a moment's stillness; and then Jane Halliburton clasped her hands with a faint cry of despair. She saw that more remained behind.