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, “we are going to…drag you out of…your morbid…self…for a change…which you need…if ever a man…needed it.”

“I have just prescribed a drive,” said Dr. Cumberly, turning to them, “for to-morrow morning; with lunch at Richmond and a walk across the park, rejoining the car at the Bushey Gate, and so home to tea.”

Henry Leroux looked eagerly at Helen in silent appeal. He seemed to fear that she would refuse.

“Do you mean that you have included us in the prescription, father?” she asked.

“Certainly; you are an essential part of it.”

“It will be fine,” said the girl quietly; “I shall enjoy it.”

“Ah!” said Leroux, with a faint note of contentment in his voice; and he reseated himself.

There was an interval of somewhat awkward silence, to be broken by Denise Ryland.

“Dr. Cumberly has told you the news?” she asked, dropping for the moment her syncopated and pugnacious manner.

Leroux closed his eyes and leant back upon the couch.

“Yes,” he replied. “And to think that I am a useless wreck—a poor parody of a man—whilst—Mira is…Oh, God! help me!—God help her!”

He was visibly contending with his emotions; and