could cast no shadow
upon their spirit.

In the moment of their victory the North had defeated them, but in the
instant of defeat they had found infinite and eternal victory. No blow
that life could deal, no weapon that this North should wield against
them, could crush them now. They were borne high above the reach of
these. They had discovered the great Secret, the eternal Talisman
against which no curse can blast or no disaster break the spirit.

They had their secret, whispered exultations, like all lovers the length
and breadth of the world. Virginia told him that in her own heart she
had loved him almost from the first day but how she had not realized it,
in all its completeness, until now. Bill told her of the wakening of
his own love, and how he had confessed it to himself the night they had
played "Souvenir" in the complaint of the wind.

He tried to explain to her his doubts and fears,--how he had looked at
her as a being from another world. "I could imagine my loving you, from
the first," he told her, "but never you giving your love to me."

"And who is more worthy of it--of anybody's love--than you?" she
replied, utilizing a sweetheart's way, much more effective than words,
to stop his lips. Then she told him of his bravery, his tenderness and
steadfastness; how there was no feeling of descent in giving her love to
him. She told him that in fact his education was as good as hers if not
superior, that his natural breeding and gentleness were the equal of
that of any man that moved in her own circle. She could find protection
and shelter in his strong arms, and in these months in the North she had
learned that this was the most important thing of all. He could provide
for her, too, with the wealth of his mine,--a point not to be
forgotten. Her standards were true and sensible, she was down to the
simple, primitive basis of things, and she did not forget that provision
for his wife was man's first responsibility and the first duty of love.

Only once did Bill leave her,--to cover the crack of the door and
build up the fire. When he returned, her warm little flood of kisses
was as if he had been absent for weary hours.

But her thoughts had been busy, even in this moment. All at once she
drew his ear close to her lips.

"Bill, will you listen to me a minute?" she asked.

"Listen! I'll listen to every word----"

"Some way--I've taken fresh heart since we--since we found out we
loved each ot