d then he kissed her.

Afterwards as they sat watching the red fire, it seemed to her there
was no problem in all the world he could not solve, no struggle in
which he would not prove victor, nor any knowledge too deep to reach.
In the illumination of their great love the gates of life became
visible and open, never to be quite closed again.

She spoke at last slowly and quietly.

"Christopher, I am not going to ask you if you are afraid or have
counted the risk you run, I being what I am. I know what you would say
and I love you so well that now at this moment I have no fear either.
But it will come nevertheless. Others will point out to you that it is
a mad thing to do, and I shall say it too. It is then you must hold
me, Christopher, against my will and against myself. For this is my
clear sane hour, when I really know, and I know it means my salvation.
Only when that certainty slips from me you must keep and save me
yourself, dearest."

He held her hands against him and looked down into her eyes. "As I
would keep and save myself, beloved."

She smiled a little, understanding to the finest shade his meaning,
and then a quiver of weakness touched her.

"I should die if you let me slip, Christopher."

"You are going to live," he said firmly, and kissed her again.

CHAPTER XXXI

Christopher entirely forgot to tell Patricia of his fortune or
parentage. He remembered that little omission as he went down to
dinner and looked back to see if she were visible, but she was not in
sight, and as he was already late he had to go in without her.

She came down still later, looking so beautiful with such a touch of
warm colour in her face, and so sweet a light of wonder in her eyes
that even Nevil regarded her with speculative interest.

Aymer had long given up dining with them, and no one spoke of the
lawyers' visit or of Christopher's rapid flittings, or indeed of any
of the subjects on which their minds were really intent. But there
seemed a tacit understanding amongst them that dinner must not be a
long affair and was a prelude to something yet to happen.

They went out together and Christopher delayed Patricia in the hall.

"I must see Nevil and Caesar and tell them at once," he said hurriedly,
"then I want you, my dearest. I've news for you, which I forgot just
now. You must know it, though it makes no difference to us."

Nevil came out at that moment and she slipped away after Renata with
curiosity w