at last Lucy came and took me by the
hand, and led me out. And for the first time I breathed the free air of
heaven.'

He stopped abruptly, clenching his jaws. He would not tell her how
bitterly he had suffered for it, he would not tell her of his angry
rebelliousness because all that pain should have come to him. He wanted
nobody to know the depths of his agony and of his despair. But he would
not give way. He felt that, if he did not keep a tight hold on himself,
he would break down and shake with passionate sobbing. He felt a sudden
flash of hatred for Julia because she sat there and watched his
weakness. But as though she saw at what a crisis of emotion he was,
Julia turned her eyes from him and looked down at the ground. She did
not speak. She felt the effort he was making to master himself, and she
was infinitely disturbed. She wanted to go to him and comfort him, but
she knew he would repel her. He wanted to fight his battle unaided.

At last he conquered, but when he spoke again, his voice was singularly
broken. It was hoarse and low.

'My love was the last human weakness I had. It was right that I should
drink that bitter cup. And I've drunk its very dregs. I should have
known that I wasn't meant for happiness and a life of ease. I have other
work to do in the world.'

He paused for a moment, and his calmness was restored to him.

'And now that I've overcome this last temptation I am ready to do it.'

'But haven't you any pity for yourself? Haven't you any thought for
Lucy?'

'Must I tell you, too, that everything I did was for Lucy's sake? And
still I love her with all my heart and soul.'

There was no bitterness in his tone now; it was gentle and resigned. He
had, indeed, won the battle. Julia's eyes were filled with tears, and
she could not answer. He came forward and shook hands with her.

'You mustn't cry,' he said, smiling. 'You're one of those persons whose
part it is to bring sunshine into the lives of those with less fortunate
dispositions. You must always be happy and childlike.'

'I've got lots of handkerchiefs, thanks,' she sobbed, laughing the
while.

'You must forget all the nonsense I've talked to you,' he said.

He smiled once more and was gone.

Dick was sitting in his bedroom, reading an evening paper, and she flung
herself sobbing into his arms.

'Oh, Dick, I've had such a lovely cry, and I'm so happy and so utterly
wretched. And I'm sure I shall have a red nose.'

'Darling