I was delighted that Eliza was able to contribute in a way which showed her ability. She said she would like to work in the wards while she was here, for she had seen that there was room for more nursing.

So it was agreed that we should start on the next day.

“Take a little rest this afternoon,” said the Head Deaconess.

“You’ve had a long journey and you need to recover from it. I know how you used to like to walk in the forest, Miss Pleydell.”

So in the afternoon I took Eliza for a walk, just as Henrietta and I used to when she was here.

Eliza loved the place. She said: “I’ve never seen anything like this.

What’s them bells you hear in the distance every now and then? “

I explained that the bells were worn by the cows who could easily get lost in the forest.

“The bells, of course, indicate where they are.”

She was enchanted.

We passed the cottage where Gerda’s grandmother had lived. There was no sign of anyone there. When we came to a clearing I suggested we sit down for a while.

Eliza said: “I’d like to work here. There’s a peace about it. You see I dunno how to say it … it’s as though some things don’t matter at all. Everyone is important and yet not important, if you know what I mean.”

“I think I do, Eliza.”

“When you get married …”

“Oh, but I’m not sure.”

“You’re going to marry Dr. Fenwick if you’ve got any sense.”

“Perhaps I haven’t.”

“Yes, you have. Your head’s screwed on the right way. It’s just you’re dazzled, that’s all. And you can’t see straight for a bit. You’re going to marry him because he’s right for you … and you’re going to be all right. But what about me?”

“Eliza, you’ll always be my friend and welcome wherever I am.”

“I know that. It’s not easy for me to say this. I think the world of you. You’re a fine woman, Anna. You’re one of the best. I’m never going to forget what you done for Ethel … and for me, too.”

“You exaggerate. It was Dr. Adair who saved Tom for Ethel.”

“Him! Oh, showing off, that’s all. It was you what done it.”

“That’s ridiculous, Eliza.”

“I’m getting silly in my old age. I was just saying that I want you to get what you deserve. I reckon you’ll have a lot of kids and you’ll be happy ever after, for that Dr. Fenwick’s a good man and good men don’t grow on trees. From what I know of them they’re as rare as snow in July.”

“You’re an old cynic, Eliza. Don’t let’s talk about me. What would you like to happen to you? If you could have a wish, what would it be?”

“I’d like to be that Head Deaconess in a place like this with a hospital all my own. I’d do it my way. I’d have the best little hospital in the world. Funny … when we got to Scutari I wanted to come straight back. I wondered what I’d let myself in for. And then . after seeing what we did … I was just glad I was there. I knew I wanted to nurse the sick. There’s nothing I want to do more than that.”

“I know how you feel.”

We sat on the grass, our backs against a tree and she told me of her dreams. She had loved this place immediately. She wanted to have a hospital of her own where she could make the rules, where she could dedicate herself to the sick.

We talked for a long time and Eliza had never been so self-revealing.

I loved her very much and I prayed that one day her dreams might be realized, for hers was a noble ambition.

Someone was tapping at the door. It was one of the younger Deaconesses. The Head Deaconess was asking me to go at once to her sanctum.

We had just returned from our walk and Eliza still looked bemused, still in the dream of being in charge of a hospital like I said: “I’d better go at once.”

I knocked at the door of the sanctum.

“Come in,” called the Head Deaconess and I entered.

A man was standing with his back to the window.

“Oh, there you are,” said the Head Deaconess.

“I am so glad you have come in. You two know each other well, I believe.”

I stared at him disbelievingly. He had been so consistently in my thoughts that for a moment I thought I had conjured up this image of him. I heard myself stammering: “Dr. Adair …”

“The same,” he said.

“How pleasant to find you here.”

He had come forward to take my hand.

“I have heard some account of Scutari from Miss Pleydell,” said the Head Deaconess.

“I feel honoured to have you both here … and Miss Flynn, too. You have shared a terrible but wonderful experience.”

“We only did what was expected of us. Isn’t that so. Miss Pleydell?”

“Yes, of course. We just worked hard and did the best we could.”

“It must have been very different from Kaiserwald,” said the Head Deaconess.

“Completely different,” he said.

“Do sit down … both of you. Did you enjoy your walk in the forest.

Miss Pleydell? Miss Pleydell is enamoured of our forest, Dr. Adair.”

“I can understand that. It’s an enchanting place. Romantic, eh. Miss Pleydell?”

“Yes, I find it so.”

He brought a chair and held it while I sat down. I looked over my shoulder and thanked him. He was smiling slightly sardonically and I could not interpret the meaning of that smile.

“Pray be seated yourself, Dr. Adair. Miss Pleydell, Dr. Adair has been discussing some project with me and he thinks you may well be involved in it… for I told him you were here.”

I turned to look at him. I thought I detected a mischievous look in his eyes.

“Yes, Miss Pleydell. I was delighted when I heard that you had arrived in Kaiserwald. This project concerns Rosenwald … a place not unlike Kaiserwald not so large, nor so well ordered.” He smiled gallantly at the Head Deaconess, who bowed her head well pleased and murmured:

“We were not always as we are now, Dr. Adair. It takes time to develop a place.”

“But you do agree that in time … with the right Head … Rosenwald could become a Kaiserwald?”

“I certainly believe it could with the right persons working together . dedicated people who are ready to make sacrifices.”

“We all have the highest respect for your abilities. Miss Pleydell.”

“I’m glad to hear it.”

“The fact is, I am going out to inspect the place. The Head Deaconess cannot of course make the journey with me. We have discussed the matter together and have come to the conclusion that as you are here so fortuitously’ he gave me that smile again ‘well, my idea is that you should visit Rosenwald with me and give me your opinion of its possibilities.”

“With some object in view?”

“I don’t know what your plans are.”

“You mean that I might work at this place?”

“I want your opinion of it. You have proved yourself to be a good nurse. You may discover a great enthusiasm to build up this place ..”

“That would mean giving up my home … everything …”

“You are looking too far ahead. Come with me tomorrow. We shall inspect the place together and you will tell me what you think of its possibilities. I am leaving for Rosenwald tomorrow morning early … on horseback. You do ride, don’t you. Miss Pleydell?”

“Yes, I ride. But I have no habit with me.”

“Could we fit her out?” he asked.

The Head Deaconess thought it might be possible. No one in the hospital rode, of course, but there was Fraulein Kleber who was a great horsewoman and would be ready to lend what was needed.

“If that could be arranged today we could leave tomorrow morning. It will take us the whole morning to get there. But we could be back before nightfall. If there were any difficulties we could stay at Rosenwald.”

The Head Deaconess was looking rather concerned. I imagined she thought we should have a chaperon. I thought she was going to suggest that one of the Deaconesses should accompany us but I dismissed that thought as I knew none of them could ride.

I said: “Eliza Flynn is here with me, Dr. Adair. You may remember her.”

He frowned in concentration.

“She was rather big … a very efficient nurse.”

“Ah yes,” he said.

“Big Eliza. I don’t think she should be a member of the party. But does she ride well?”

“I’m almost certain that she does not.”

“I have planned that you and I should go alone, Miss Pleydell. We don’t want a crowd. It is just to look over, to assess possibilities and so on …”

I could not help it, but my spirits were rising. I was going to spend a whole day in his company. I did not think for one moment that I should want to work at Rosenwald. All I cared about was that he had come back and that I was going to be with him alone . for a whole day.

I really did not think beyond that.

Eliza was dumbfounded.

“That man … here!”

“Don’t be surprised. It’s only natural that he should be here. He’s a famous doctor. He’s interested in places like this. Germany has been the centre of some of Europe’s best hospitals and it is only natural that now all this reform is going to take place, people should come here.”

“I believe he’s arranged all this. He got you here …”

“Oh, Eliza, don’t be absurd! Why should he?”

“Because he’s interested in you. He’s finished with Henrietta and now it’s your turn.”

“I tell you it’s a hospital we’re going to see. There’s nothing romantic or mysterious about that.”

“Just you and him … alone! I’ll come with you.”

“We have to go on horseback and you can’t ride. Oh Eliza, it’s nothing”

“Well, you’re looking pretty pleased about it.”

“I’m interested in this place … Rosenwald. Perhaps we could both go there for a while.”

She brightened a little at the prospect and I said hastily: “I have to go and see Fraulein Kleber, who lives nearby. The H.D. says she will lend me a riding habit. She has several and she is about my size.”

“Do you mean the H.D. is going to allow this? You going off with him alone?”

“You are making a lot out of nothing. Come on. I’m going to Fraulein Kleber. Do come with me.”

Almost reluctantly, she came.

Fraulein Kleber lived in a very pleasant house not far from Frau Leiben’s cottage.

We found it easily, and as we approached the house we heard the sound of a shot. We were startled and looked at each other in dismay, and as we did so another shot rang out and another and another.

“Something’s happening,” said Eliza.

We hurried to the house. There was no sign of anyone. As we walked through a beautifully kept garden to some stables, we heard another shot. The sound was coming from the other side of the stables.

Then we saw what it was. A target had been set up against a tree and a woman was firing at it. She heard our approach and turned to us.

“Oh, forgive me,” she cried, “I’m getting a little practice for the Schutzenfest. It’s less than a month away and I’m a little rusty.”

She was middle-aged and greying, slim and tall and about my size.

I said: “Have we come at an inconvenient time?”

“Oh no, no. You’re from Kaiserwald, aren’t you? I knew you were coming and of course I’m delighted to fit you up.”

I introduced Eliza, but as she had no German she could not join in the conversation.

“It is kind of you,” I said.

“I haven’t brought a habit with me. I did not think there would be an opportunity to ride.”

She nodded.

“I had forgotten when you were actually coming. I’ve been so caught up with the Schiitzenfest. We have it every year. I always join in these things and I’ve been caught up with this. I look forward to the Vogelschlessen that’s the popinjay shooting. I always hope I shall be SchiitzenKonig. That’s the best shot selected every year. Of course, there has never been a woman who has achieved that yet.”

“I wish you luck,” I said.

“Come into the house.” But first excuse me while I put my rifle away.”

We had come to a barn which had been converted into a sort of gun-room.

“My father was a great shot. He was Konig almost every year. These are his guns. I inherited them. But not quite his skill, alas.”

She put the rifle in a case and turned to us. She studied me closely.

“Well, we are about the same size so that should offer no difficulties.”

We went into the house and up to her bedroom. She had four riding habits, all of which would fit me. She asked me to take which I liked and I chose a pale grey skirt and jacket with a grey hat.

I tried them on.