ed to him that he had found the answer he
sought. Surely it was just a dream, and in a moment he would wake up
and see the dreadful face of the mess waiter appearing down the dug-out
steps. It is impossible to stumble over sand dunes and find Margarets
in France. These things simply do not happen. One merely stumbles
over the cobbles and sees the woman who keeps the estaminet round the
corner washing the floor. And her lips do not part in the dawn of a
smile--mercifully; her eyes are not big and blue. It was all a dream!
last night was all a dream. Just one of those pictures he had seen
sometimes in the candle light, when it guttered in the draught, as the
big crump burst outside. . . .

"Derek, that wasn't fair." With an effort he pulled himself together
and regarded her gravely. Then he scrambled down the sandy bank to her
side.

"Do you mind pinching me?" he remarked, holding out his hand.
"Hard--very hard. . . . I want to make certain I'm not dreaming."

"Why should you be?" Her voice was faintly tremulous. "And why have
you got your eyes shut?"

"Pinch me, please, at once." Vane's hand was still held out, and she
gave it a gentle nip. "Go on, harder . . . Ah! that's better. Now
promise me you won't disappear if I open my eyes."

"I promise," she answered solemnly, but struggling to withdraw her hand
from both of his, where he had caught it. . . .

"Oh! my dear, my dear," he whispered. "It's just too wonderful to be
true. The peace of it, and the glory, and you. . . . I'll be waking
up in a minute, my lady, and find myself crawling round the outpost
line."

He laughed gently and triumphantly, and drew her towards him. Only
when his arm was round her, did he pause. . . . And then it was the
look in her eyes, as much as her two hands pressed against his chest,
that stopped him. "What is it, Margaret, my lady? Aren't you going to
kiss me?"

"No, Derek--not yet. Perhaps once before we go. . . . Please, take
your arm away."

For a moment he hesitated. "Even after last night."

She nodded. "Principally because of last night."

With a little lift of his eyebrows Vane did as he was bid. "I knew
there was a catch somewhere," he murmured plaintively. "You don't want
me to go away and leave you, do you?"

She shook her head and smiled. Then she patted the ground beside her.
"Come and sit down; I want to talk to you. No--not too near."

"Don't you trust me?" he demanded half sulle