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 was beside her in the launch, pulling on his coat.

"Tell me" he said.

"It has all been so unbelievable," she said, speaking in quick short breaths. "Most unfortunately, Hal is away. He went by train to Rome last night. He—Fen, that is—you'll understand me, won't you?—was to walk this morning—had he told you? He was so proud! He walked from me to Emily—such a little way! She let him stand there alone. He stood there with his head up, looking utterly—oh, you know how he can look—" Thornton nodded. "When—I don't know if the ship rolled a little, or if he just lost his balance, but he fell—before Emily could catch him—striking the corner of the companionway with a dreadful wrench. Fortunately, we could get a splendid English doctor in Naples. But everything is undone—the little strength that he's been