orry," he said. "But really I can't afford to run any risks of that
sort."

"Then you still think you may get it?" questioned Chris.

"I think it possible--if the gods are kind."

"My dear," she said suddenly, "let's leave off joking. If it's something
you're wanting very badly, why don't you--pray for it?"

"I am praying for it, sweetheart," he said.

"Oh, Trevor, tell me! And I'll pray, too."

She wound her arms persuasively about his neck. Her face was very sweet
in the moonlight. The deep-sea eyes were very tender.

He looked into them and yielded. "Chris, I am praying for the love of the
woman I love."

"Oh, but, Trevor--Trevor--"

"Yes," he said, and his voice vibrated upon a deeper note--a note that
was passionate. "I want more than a little, my Chris. But I will be
patient. I will wait all my life long if I must. Only--O God, let me win
it at last!"

He stopped. She was looking at him strangely, and there was something
about her that he had never seen before--something that compelled.

"But, Trevor dearest," she said, "it was yours long--long ago. Oh, don't
you understand? How shall I make you understand?"

She clasped him closer. The moonlight was shining in her eyes--the eyes
of a woman who had come through suffering into peace.

"My darling," she said, "before God, I am telling you the truth. If you
hadn't come back to me, I should have broken my heart."

He took her head between his hands. He bent his face to hers, looking
deep into those shining, unswerving eyes.

"Won't you believe me?" she pleaded. "Dear, I couldn't lie to you if I
tried. Must I put it more plainly still? Then listen! You are more to me
now than Bertie ever was. I do not say more than he might have been. But
we can't put back the clock. I wouldn't if I could. No--no, not even to
live again those old happy days. Trevor, do you understand now, dear? For
if you don't, not even Aunt Philippa could be harder to convince. I am
yours. I am yours. The other was a dream that can only come true in
Paradise. But this is our Reality--yours and mine. And I can't live
without you. I want you so. I love you so. Trevor--my husband!"

Her lips quivered suddenly, but in that moment his found them and
possessed them. She gave herself to him in complete surrender, as she had
given herself on their wedding-night. Yet with a difference. For she
throbbed in his arms; she thrilled to his touch. She opened to him the
doors of her soul, and drew