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Week after week passed, and month after month, and little Winifred was always in my thoughts. Wynne's cottage was a sacred spot to me, and the organist the most interesting man in the world. I never tired of asking him questions about her, though he, as I soon found, knew scarcely anything concerning her and what she was doing, and cared less; for love of drink had got thoroughly hold of him.
He gave me his proofs, and I was fool enough to believe them. He then suggested that it would be the easiest thing in the world, considering Wynne's record, to prove that he had forged the will for his daughter's benefit. He offered to aid in this if I would sign documents giving him ten per cent. of the total value of my uncle's estate, and I was foolish enough to consent, and to sign.
Instead of a mere rearguard to be driven in, as Buller had fondly believed, a strongly posted line, extending nearly four miles S.W. from Wynne's Hill, had to be attacked. The enemy had been so much encouraged by the failure of Coke's movement, that Botha telegraphed to Kruger that he had hopes of a "great reverse."
At noon the completion of the bridge was signalled to the feint attack. The batteries fronting the Brakfontein ridge were withdrawn, and Wynne's brigade which, having been marched up the slope, was now marched down again, came under a heavy but almost innocuous infantry fire, which at last broke out on Brakfontein.
For a few moments there was intense silence in the room. I saw that my mother was reflecting. At last she said: 'You say that Wynne's daughter told you something to-night. Where did you see her? 'On the sands. 'At what hour? 'At at at about eleven, or twelve, or one o'clock. I felt that I was getting into a net, but was too ill to know what I was doing.
Merriton saw Wynne's big, broad-shouldered figure swathed in the black evening cloak which he affected upon such occasions, and which became him mightily, and with an opera hat set at the correct angle upon his closely-clipped dark hair, step into the lighted hallway, and begin taking off his gloves. Tony West's raspy voice chimed out a welcome, as Merriton went forward, his hand outstretched.
"Good-bye," said Merriton, rather relieved at Wynne's attitude and yet, in spite of himself, distrusting it. "Good-bye, 'Toinette.... It's really good-bye this time. And I wish you all the happiness you deserve." "Thank you." He looked into her eyes a moment, and then with a sudden sigh turned quickly away and went out of the room.
While speculating as to what would be best to do, it occurred to me that I would write to Mivart, asking him to run down to me at Hurstcote Manor and consult with me, because he had told me that he had given attention to cases of hysteria. I did this, and persuaded Sinfi to remain and to keep out of Miss Wynne's sight.
It was some time after dark when we arrived at Wynne's Station, which was situated in a bend behind a promontory, and not observable until close upon it. The owner was absent, but we were received by the overseer, Mr. Brand, and his assistants, two young gentlemen cadets.
I should have thought it would be you who would have gone first. Why do you not go? Here is Miss Wynne's pet girl-boy away to fight, and you why do not you go?" I was puzzled, as well I might be. "Dost thou want me to go!" A quick light came into those brown eyes, and a little flush to the cheeks as she said, oh, so very quickly, "I want all my friends to do what seems to them right."
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