-pleased."

"I am--quite pleased, dear," he said.

She raised her head. "Trevor! You know?"

He took her face between his hands. "My darling, yes."

She opened her eyes wide, searching his face. "But that--that wasn't your
reason for--wanting me back?"

He looked straight down into her eyes, still holding her. "I wonder if I
need answer that question," he said slowly.

She was silent for a moment, then stretched her hands to him with a
gesture of complete confidence. "No, dear, you needn't. Just forgive me
for asking--that's all."

He stooped at once without speaking, and the kiss that passed between
them was the seal of a perfect understanding.

Not till some time later did the request he was expecting her to make
find utterance. He had been giving her a few details of Bertrand's
illness and death.

"He simply went in his sleep," he said, "scarcely an hour after you left
him. Max and I were both with him, but he went so easily that we neither
of us knew when it was. There was no suffering or distress of any sort.
He just passed."

He spoke with great gentleness. He was keenly anxious to remove her fear
of death. But he knew by the way her arm tightened about his neck that
something of the awe of it was upon her even while he spoke.

"Trevor," she said, in a very low voice, "I almost think I would like to
see him."

"Yes, dear."

"But--I can't go alone," she said. "Will you come too?"

"Of course," he said.

She rose to her feet. "Let's go now."

He rose also with her hand in his. "There is some stuff here Max gave me
for you," he said. "Drink that first."

"Where is Max?" she asked.

"I sent him to bed, and Noel too."

"And you have been sitting up with me ever since?"

"It was only three hours," he said.

He gave her Max's draught with the words, as if to check all comment on
his action, and Chris submissively said no more. But she held his hand
very tightly as they went out together.

The dawn was just spreading golden over the sea when they entered the
room where Bertrand lay asleep. The light of it poured in at the open
window like a benediction. Outside, the two sentries still stood on
guard. But within was no earthly presence, only the scent and sound of
the sea, only the growing splendour of the day, only the quiet dead
waiting for the Resurrection....

Chris's hand trembled within her husband's as she drew near. But later,
when she looked upon the dear, familiar face, the awe went