forward and put his arm round her waist.

"There'll always be two in the future, won't there?" he asked hoarsely.

"Yes, of course there will," she laughed,

"To-night?" he insisted.

"Yes, of course," she said, her color heightening slightly under the
persistency of his gaze. What a foolish question! Changing the topic
she added, with a laugh: "Now, take your coat off, like a good boy, and
go to sleep. I'll go down and keep the house quiet. When it's time to
get up, I'll come back."

"Don't go yet," he murmured, looking at her ardently. Taking her hand
caressingly he tried to lead her to the sofa. "Sit down here. I won't
sleep yet. Let us talk. I have so much to say."

Firmly Helen withdrew from his embrace.

"No, no; I won't stay a moment," she said decisively. "Not now. You
must behave yourself. We'll talk all you want to to-night. But not
now. You are very tired. The sleep will do you good. Now be a good
boy--go to bed."

He tried to intercept her before she reached the door, but she was too
quick for him. She went out and was about to close the door behind her
when he called out:

"Please send Francois to me."

She nodded.

"Yes, dear, I will. Of course you need him. Why didn't I think of it
before?"

She closed the door and went downstairs. It was hard to believe that
he was back home. How long she had waited for this day, and, even now
it had come, the void did not seem filled. There still seemed
something wanting. What it was, she did not know, yet it was there.

In the dining-room she ran into Ray, who had her arms filled with
magnificent American beauty roses.

"Oh, how beautiful!" cried Helen enthusiastically. "Where did you get
those flowers?"

The young girl laughed. "They're a present from me and Wilbur--in
honor of Kenneth's arrival. Where is he?"

"Upstairs--he's going to lie down until dinner is ready. Poor
soul--he's almost dead with fatigue."

"Has he got the diamonds?"

Helen gasped. She hadn't thought of that. In all the excitement the
real object of her husband's trip to South Africa had quite escaped her
mind.

"I don't know," she said quickly. "I haven't asked him. We've hardly
exchanged a dozen words. He'll tell us later. Was nothing said about
them at the Customs? Didn't he declare them?"

"No--I thought it was strange. That's why I asked you if he had them.
Possibly he left them to be cut in Amsterdam."

Helen grew thoughtful.