away. Closer still! Let me feel your arms. You are strong and brave,
aren't you, John? You would not let any one take me away from you?"

He was a little startled by the earnestness of her words. She seemed
pale and fragile, her eyes larger and deeper than usual, and her mouth
tremulous. She was like a child with the shadow of some fear hanging
over her. He laughed and held her tightly to him.

"There is nothing that could take you away--you know that quite well!
There is nobody in the world whom you need fear for a single moment. If
you have troubles, I am here to share them. If you have enemies, you can
leave me to dispose of them."

"I think," she murmured, "that I am in an emotional frame of mind
to-day. I am not often like this, you know. I woke this morning feeling
so happy; and then, all of a sudden, I couldn't somehow believe in
it--in myself. I felt it slip away. You won't let it slip away, John?"

"Never a chance!" he promised confidently. "Look at me. Do I seem like a
person to be easily got rid of? What you need is a holiday, and you need
it badly. We haven't made any plans yet, have we? I wonder whether we
could break your contract at the theater!"

"We must talk to Graillot," she said. "There is a little Frenchwoman
over here now. I once saw her act in Paris, and I am sure she could play
_Therese_ wonderfully. But don't let's talk seriously any longer. Just
let us sit here and talk nonsense!"

"Have you told any of your friends yet, Louise--the prince, for
instance?"

He had asked this question on his way across the room to ring the bell.
There was no reply, and when he turned around, a moment or two later, he
was almost frightened. Louise was sitting quite still, but the color
seemed to have been drained from her cheeks. Her eyes were filled with
some expression which he did not wholly understand. He only knew that
they were calling him to her side, and he promptly obeyed the summons.
Her head fell upon his shoulder, her arms were locked about his neck.

"John," she sobbed, "I do not know what is the matter with me. I am
hysterical. Don't ask me any questions. Don't talk to me. Hold me like
you are doing now, and listen. I love you, John--do you understand?--I
love you!"

Her lips sought his and clung to them. A queer little wave of passion
seemed to have seized her. Half crying, half laughing, she pressed her
face against his. "I do not want to act to-night. I do not want to play,
even to the m