lips?

The thrumming of the music ceased; he walked away.

It must have been nearly twelve when he reached home. Now, once more,
would begin the gruesome process of deception--flinching of soul, and
brazening of visage. It would be better when the whole thievish business
was irretrievably begun and ordered in its secret courses!

There was no light in the drawing-room, save just the glow of the
fire. If only Sylvia might have gone to bed! Then he saw her, sitting
motionless out there by the uncurtained window.

He went over to her, and began his hateful formula:

"I'm afraid you've been lonely. I had to stay rather late. A dull
evening." And, since she did not move or answer, but just sat there very
still and white, he forced himself to go close, bend down to her, touch
her cheek; even to kneel beside her. She looked round then; her face was
quiet enough, but her eyes were strangely eager. With a pitiful little
smile she broke out:

"Oh, Mark! What is it--what is it? Anything is better than this!"

Perhaps it was the smile, perhaps her voice or eyes--but something gave
way in Lennan. Secrecy, precaution went by the board. Bowing his head
against her breast, he poured it all out, while they clung, clutched
together in the half dark like two frightened children. Only when he had
finished did he realize that if she had pushed him away, refused to let
him touch her, it would have been far less piteous, far easier to bear,
than her wan face and her hands clutching him, and her words: "I never
thought--you and I--oh! Mark--you and I--" The trust in their life
together, in himself, that those words revealed! Yet, not greater than
he had had--still had! She could not understand--he had known that she
could never understand; it was why he had fought so for secrecy, all
through. She was taking it as if she had lost everything; and in his
mind she had lost nothing. This passion, this craving for Youth and
Life, this madness--call it what one would--was something quite apart,
not touching his love and need of her. If she would only believe that!
Over and over he repeated it; over and over again perceived that she
could not take it in. The only thing she saw was that his love had gone
from her to another--though that was not true! Suddenly she broke out
of his arms, pushing him from her, and cried: "That girl--hateful,
horrible, false!" Never had he seen her look like this, with flaming
spots in her white cheeks, soft lips a