Snake and Sword — P.C. Wren / Percival Christopher Wren

When Colonel Matthew Devon de Warrenne, V.C., D.S.O., of the Queen's Own Bombay Lancers, pinned his Victoria Cross to the bosom of his dying wife's night-dress he was not himself. He was beside himself with grief. Afterwards he adjured the sole witness of this impulsive and emotional act, Major John Decies, never to mention his "damned theatrical folly" to any living soul. For the one thing in heaven above that Colonel de Warrenne feared, was breach of good form and stereotyped convention. And the one thing he loved was the dying woman.