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forward and put his arm round her waist. "There'll always be two in the future, won't there?" he asked hoarsely. "Yes, of course there will," she laughed, "To-night?" he insisted. "Yes, of course," she said, her color heightening slightly under the persistency of his gaze. What a foolish question! Changing the topic she added, with a laugh: "Now, take your coat off, like a good boy, and go to sleep. I'll go down and keep the house quiet. When it's time to get up, I'll come back." "Don't go yet," he murmured, looking at her ardently. Taking her hand caressingly he tried to lead her to the sofa. "Sit down here. I won't sleep yet. Let us talk. I have so much to say." Firmly Helen withdrew from his embrace. "No, no; I won't stay a moment," she said decisively. "Not now. You must behave yourself. We'll talk all you want to to-night. But not now. You are very tired. The sleep will do you good. Now be a good boy--go to bed." He tried to intercept her before she reached the door, but she was too quick for him. She went out and was about to close the door behind her when he called out: "Please send Francois to me." She nodded. "Yes, dear, I will. Of course you need him. Why didn't I think of it before?" She closed the door and went downstairs. It was hard to believe that he was back home. How long she had waited for this day, and, even now it had come, the void did not seem filled. There still seemed something wanting. What it was, she did not know, yet it was there. In the dining-room she ran into Ray, who had her arms filled with magnificent American beauty roses. "Oh, how beautiful!" cried Helen enthusiastically. "Where did you get those flowers?" The young girl laughed. "They're a present from me and Wilbur--in honor of Kenneth's arrival. Where is he?" "Upstairs--he's going to lie down until dinner is ready. Poor soul--he's almost dead with fatigue." "Has he got the diamonds?" Helen gasped. She hadn't thought of that. In all the excitement the real object of her husband's trip to South Africa had quite escaped her mind. "I don't know," she said quickly. "I haven't asked him. We've hardly exchanged a dozen words. He'll tell us later. Was nothing said about them at the Customs? Didn't he declare them?" "No--I thought it was strange. That's why I asked you if he had them. Possibly he left them to be cut in Amsterdam." Helen grew thoughtful.
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