ld, swinging in space, and
life and death. He bent closer to them. "Why didn't you write?"
reproachfully.

"Uncle William wouldn't let me."

"Uncle William!"

She nodded. "He told me not to write. He said you would get well
faster if you had something to bother you." The demure face was full
of glinting lights. "He seemed to think that is what we are made
for--mostly. He's an old dear!" she added.

"He is!" He had gained possession of the quick-moving hand. "I shall
keep you now that I have you--"

"Yes."

"--for that very purpose!"

She smiled quietly. "I'll try to live up to it. You took the prize, you
know."

He caged the other hand. "Bother the prize! There's only one thing I
want."

Her lip trembled a little.

He watched it jealously. He bent and touched the trembling line. The
world was blotted out--sun and bay and wheeling sky. A new world was
born--of two souls and swift desire. The heart of the universe opened to
them. When they drew apart, her eyes were lighted with tears. He wiped
them away slowly, holding the prisoned hands. "We will not wait," he
whispered.

"No," half breathed.

"In a week?" insistently.

"Yes."

"To-morrow?" imperiously.

The laughter had come back to her eyes. "To-day!" She freed her hands.
"Come."

He was searching her face. "You mean it?"

"Why not? They will be glad to get rid of us." She lifted a laughing
gesture to the cliff.

"They?"

"William and Benjamin." She said the names with slow pleasure, smiling
at his puzzled face. "It all came out when I told him that I knew you
and that Uncle William lived here. He saw in a flash--everything! We
started next day."

He had put an arm about her, guardingly. "We'll go hunt up a priest," he
said.

"Now?"

"At once!" decisively. "Uncle William might think I needed more
discipline."

"You're looking very well." She was gazing at him with fond eyes.

"I _am_ well." He stretched out his arms. "I could conquer the world."

"We'll sail round it." She nodded to the boat that was anchored off the
island. "She is ours--for as long as we want her."

He stared at the boat and raised a glance to the cliff. "And what will
_he_ do?"

"M. Curie? He builds for himself a house, for himself--and for us." She
half chanted the words in sheer delight.

"A house--here--for himself--and for us!" His glance took in the bare,
stern grandeur. "It will be very near heaven."

"Very near. Come, let us go." They climbed the s