e other and that you could find no happiness in
marriage. Then why, in heaven's name, Terry, did you pledge yourself to
him last night?"

"The fear of losing him----" Her face quivered pitifully. She was on the
verge of weeping. "He overheard what Daddy said about forbidding him the
house. It seemed our last time together. I couldn't bear that it should
be the last. It was to keep him near me for just a little longer that
I----"

Tabs rose and limped to the window. He dared not let himself go, the way
his instincts urged. They might carry him too far. She looked so much
like the little girl in short skirts he had known, as she sat there
bravely trying not to cry. He wanted to take her on his knees, as in the
old days. Now that she loved another man, he was not allowed to show her
comfort in that way any longer. That she should run to him for help and
yet love some one else, wounded his pride. What was the matter with him
that he had failed to stir her passion? Why could he appeal only to her
helplessness?

Inside the communal garden, with its surrounding railings and locked
gates, nurses in uniforms were pushing prams. Toddlers were tossing a
ball across the lawn and tottering after it with excited shouts. Beneath
a tree in the clear sunshine a young mother sat sewing. Other men's
women! Other men's babies! He would have to set out in search of his
kingdom afresh; all his old quests had been mistaken. But he was older
now and lame; he lacked the energy for a new journey. It seemed to him
that he would be alone and unwanted always.

A telegraph-girl was mounting the steps. He heard the bell ring without
interest. Gazing out, with his back towards Terry, he put to her what he
intended should be his final question. "You promised him last
night--then why did you hurry round to me this morning?"

Her dress rustled and her breathing quickened. "Because----" she
commenced and failed. He did not turn his head. She tried again in a
lower voice, "Because I want you to get my promise back."

He swung round and crossed to where she was still sitting. With his
hands resting lightly on her shoulders, he stared down at her golden
head. "But, Terry dear, why? Look at me. You must tell me."

She did not look at him. "I'm frightened. Nobody knows as yet; so before
they know---- Oh, Tabs, you're so clever; you can do anything." And then
she repeated whimperingly, like a child over a broken toy, "I want you
to get my promise back."