"Dear Phil, thank you very much, I shall treasure it all my life long for your sake."
"I shall think of you to-morrow," he said. "I shall have the window open and listen for the bells."
"And I shall think of you, and pray for you. You must pray for me, too, that my future life may be blessed and happy."
He smiled his answer.
"Say good-bye to me in that dress, please, Miss Crawford," he continued, presently. "I should like always to keep you in my memory just as you are now. You are all white and shining, and you brighten the room like an angel of light. To think of you so will help me to bear my pain. I shall only have to close my eyes to see you again."
Stooping down over the bed, and taking his hand in hers, she put back her long floating veil, and again kissed him, as she had done in the hospital ward months ago.
He smiled gratefully and lovingly, and so keeping his eyes on her as she walked towards the door, Phil saw the white-robed figure pass out from his gaze for ever.
Soon after that he fell asleep. Going out on tip-toe to meet her father when he came in from his work, Millie brought him into Phil's room. Together they sat by his bedside and watched him. For the dying boy, the light of life was indeed burning dimly.
"Millie," he said suddenly.
"What is it, dear? We thought you were asleep."