y dear, dear, little girl----"

"Henry had told me casually that afternoon your story, and how he had
not stayed at Arranstoun for the wedding because he thought your action
so unfair to the bride!--and how that now you felt rather a dog in the
manger about her. That infuriated me! Can't you understand I had only
one desire, to show you that I did not care since you had gone off.
Henry was simply angelic to me--and asked me so seriously if he could
really make me happy, if not he would release me then. I felt if he
would take me, all bruised and restless, and comfort me and bring me
peace, I did indeed wish to be his wife--and if nothing more had
happened we might have grown quite happy from then, but we went to
England--and I saw you again--and--Oh! well, Michael, need I tell you
any more? You know how we fenced and how at last we could not bear
it--up in Mrs. Forster's room!"

"It was the most delirious and most unhappy moment of my life, darling."

"And now it is all over--isn't Henry a splendid man? I told him all this
yesterday--the Pere Anselme had suggested to him to come and ask me for
the truth. He behaved too nobly--but I did not know what he intended to
do, nor if it were too late to stop the divorce or anything, so I was
miserable."

"You shall not be so any more--we will go back to Arranstoun at once,
darling, and begin a new and glorious life together. From every point of
view that is the best thing to be done. We could not possibly go on all
staying here, it would be grotesque--and I am quite determined that I
will never leave you again--do you hear, Sabine?" And he turned her face
and made her look into his eyes.

"Yes, I hear!--and know that you were always the most masterful
creature!"

"Do you want to change me?"

But Sabine let herself be clasped in his arms while she abandoned
herself to the deep passionate joy she felt.

"No--Michael--I would not alter you in one little bit, we are neither of
us very good or very clever, but I just love you and you love me--and we
are mates! There!"

* * * * *

They carried out their plans and arrived at Arranstoun Castle a few days
later. Michael wired to have everything ready for their reception and
both experienced the most profound emotion when first they entered
Michael's sitting-room again.

"There is the picture, darling, that you fell through and--here is Binko
waiting to receive and welcome you!"

The mass of