was apprehension as well as surprise in her voice; and he
jerked his head up as though listening to it.

"Ah, well!" he said. "It doesn't much matter. There is a remedy for all
this world's evils. No doubt I shall take it sooner or later. So you're
going again are you? I'm not to touch you; not to kiss your hand? You
won't have me as husband, slave, or dog! Egad!" He laughed out harshly.
"I used not to be so humble. If you were queen, I was king, and I made
you know it. There! Go! You have done what you came to do, and more
also. Go quickly, before I see your face again! I'm only mortal still,
and there are some things that mortals can't endure--even strong
men--even giants. So--good-bye!"

He stopped abruptly. He was gripping the high mantelpiece with both
hands. Every bone of them stood out distinctly, and the veins shone
purple in the lamplight. His head was bowed forward upon his chest. He
was fighting fiercely with that demon of unfettered violence to which he
had yielded such complete allegiance all his life.

Minutes passed. He dared not turn his head to look but he knew that she
had not gone. He waited dumbly, still forcing back the evil impulse
that tore at his heart. But the tension became at last intolerable, and
slowly, still gripping himself with all his waning strength, he stood up
and turned.

She was standing close to him. The repugnance had all gone out of her
face. It held only the tenderness of a great compassion.

As he stared at her dumbfounded, she held out her hands to him.

"Geoffrey," she said, "if you wish it, I will come back to you."

He stared at her, still wide-eyed and mute, as though a spell were upon
him.

"Won't you have me, Geoffrey?" she said, a faint quiver in her voice.

He seized her hands then, seized them, and drew her to him, bowing his
head down upon her shoulder with a great sob.

"Naomi, Naomi," he whispered huskily, "I will be good to you, my
darling--so help me, God!"

Her own eyes were full of tears. She yielded herself to him without a
word.

IX

"Can I come in a moment, Reggie?"

Gwen's bright face peered round the door at him as he sat at the
writing-table in his room, with his head upon his hand. He looked up at
her.

"Yes, come in, child! What is it?"

She entered eagerly and went to him.

"Are you busy, dear old boy? It is horrid that you should be going away
so soon. I only wanted just to tell you something that the dear old
Admiral has just