k to each other
again. It has been such a tiresome, uncomfortable day. When I brought
you that cup of tea on the terrace I did so long to say a word to you;
but I saw by your face that I should only make things worse."

"I am glad you refrained. Do you know, Die, I thought I heard them in
the drive--I had no idea that Malcolm had returned an hour before--and
I got into such a panic that I went down to the Pool to recover myself,
and--and he was there."

"At the Pool?"

"Yes, and he heard me, and I was obliged to stay; and then he told me
that the place haunted him, and gave him bad dreams--oh, such ghastly
dreams; and then all at once he said he was taking his last look at
it--that he never meant to come here again."

"Poor fellow, did he really say that?"

"It was poor Betty, I think, then. Oh, Die, if you knew how limp and
helpless I felt when he said that; I trembled so that I was obliged to
sit down, and--and I could not help crying. I know I acted like a fool,
but the next moment I could feel him bending over me, and his voice was
quite changed and gentle when he asked me why I was crying."

"Of course you told him?"

"Yes, I could not keep it back; and then somehow it all came right, and
we were both so happy. Oh, Die, how wonderful it seems that two such
men should love me--my own dear David, and now Malcolm! I am not young
or beautiful, or even clever."

"I think I understand it," returned Dinah, affectionately. And then
Elizabeth put the last touches to her toilet, and a moment later they
went downstairs, and found Malcolm still pacing the hall. He put out
his hand silently to Elizabeth as they followed Dinah into the
dining-room. That warm, quiet grasp was full of comforting assurance:
as long as life lasted Elizabeth would have her lover and her friend;
she had found her rightful mate, and the old restless days were over.

CHAPTER XLIV

"MY DEAREST REST"

She loves thee even as far-forth than
As any woman may a man;
And is thine own, and so she says;
And cares for thee ten thousand ways.
--SURREY.

Something in Elizabeth's aspect seemed to attract Cedric's attention;
perhaps it was the veiled brightness of her expression, or the white
flowers at her breast, but more than once he eyed her in a puzzled
fashion.

"What have you done to yourself, Betty?" he burst out at last; "you
look scrumptious--ten years younger, and as thou