, on the day of their wedding; and the bitterness of the lost
years between, with their final heritage of evil, flowed over him like
the sluggish waters of a dead sea.

Quita was hesitating on the threshold of the bedroom now; and an insane
conviction came upon him that if she went in there he would lose her
again, as on that earlier day. It was all sheer brain-sickness, and
lack of sleep, but at the moment it was horribly real.

"May one look at the other rooms too?" she asked. "I want to see which
would do best for my studio!"

"Look into every hole and corner, if it amuses you, dearest," he
answered; but made no attempt to accompany her.

When at last she reappeared, the nightmare feeling took him afresh. He
felt certain she would come straight up to him, and lay hold of the
lapels of his coat. And this she actually did; lifting a glowing face
to his.

"Eldred," she began, exactly as before . . . and it was more than he
could stand. The oppression of her nearness set the blood rushing in
his ears; and taking her hands from their resting-place he put her from
him, almost an arm's-length, as though the better to look into her eyes.

"Well?" he asked, with an attempt at lightness that rang false. "Is
your Highness quite satisfied with it all?"

But she was not to be deceived. Her cheeks flamed; and she almost
snatched away her hands.

"Yes. I am quite satisfied," she said, in a changed voice. "And I
think it's high time we went back."

Then she left him, a shade too rapidly for dignity, and sprang into the
cart, before he could get near enough to help her up.

"Quita . . . why did you do that? What's wrong?" he asked, lamely
enough as he gathered up the reins.

"Need you add insult to injury by asking that?" she flashed out, angry
tears pricking her eyeballs. "I'm wrong. You're wrong. Everything's
wrong. I ought never to have come here . . . before I was wanted."

He made no comment on that. It was not a question to be discussed in
the open road, with a _sais_ jogging on the tail-board behind; and no
more was said till they reached home.

Then, as Eldred pressed the reins under the clip, he said in a quiet
tone of command: "Stay where you are, please, till I can get round."
And for all the rebellion in her blood, she obeyed.

He lifted her out bodily, and drew her into the hall. It was empty and
almost dark: and before she guessed his intent, his lips had touched
hers lightly, with a qui