passion had gone out of it, but the dominance remained. She thrilled
again to the mastery that had held Tommy back from death.

For a moment she could not speak. Then, as he waited, she gathered her
strength to answer. "I mean to be true," she said rather breathlessly.
"But I--I value my freedom too much ever to marry again. Please, I want
you to understand that. You mustn't think of me in that way. You mustn't
encourage hopes that can never be fulfilled."

A faint gleam crossed his face. "That is my affair," he said.

"Oh, but I mean it." Quickly she broke in upon him. "I am in earnest. I
am in earnest. It wouldn't be right of me to let you imagine--to let you
think--" she faltered suddenly, for something obstructed her utterance.
The next moment swiftly she covered her face. "My dear!" he said.

He led her back to the table and made her sit down. He knelt beside her,
his arms comfortingly around her.

"I've made you cry," he said. "You're worn out. Forgive me! I'm a brute
to worry you like this. You've had a rotten time of it, I know, I know.
No, don't be afraid of me! I won't say another word. Just lean on me,
that's all. I won't let you down, I swear."

She took him at his word for a space and leaned upon him; for she had no
alternative. She was weary to the soul of her; her strength was gone.

But gradually his strength helped her to recover. She looked up at
length with a quivering smile. "There! I am going to be sensible. You
must be worn out too. I can see you are. Sit down, won't you, and let us
forget this?"

He met her look steadily. "No, I can't forget," he said. "But I shan't
pester you. I don't believe in pestering any one. I shouldn't have done
it now, only--" he broke off faintly smiling--"it's all Tommy's fault,
confound him!" he said, and rose, giving her shoulder a pat that was
somehow more reassuring to her than any words.

She laughed rather tremulously. "Poor Tommy! Now please sit down and
have a rational meal! You are looking positively gaunt. It will be
Tommy's and my turn to nurse you next if you are not careful."

He pulled up a chair and seated himself. "What a pleasing suggestion!
But I doubt if Tommy's assistance will be very valuable to any one for
some little time to come. No milk in that coffee, please. I will have
some brandy."

Looking back upon that early breakfast, Stella smiled to herself though
not without misgiving. For somehow, in spite of what had preceded it, it
wa