fear lest the ecstasy she had so
vividly portrayed should be snatched untasted from out her grasp; lest
the footstep her heart hungered for should never come back into her
life. But she fought resolutely against such black moods, for
Michael's sake no less than her own. His joy in getting her back had
done much to soften the pang of separation; and now, while she lay
waiting and dreaming,--too lazy to pour out tea till he came--it was
his footstep that put her dreams to flight.

He had been out on the Kajiar road 'taking notes,' and he flourished a
sketch-book at her by way of greeting.

"Tea, _cherie_? _Ah, c'est bien_. I am thirsty!"

She flung out her left hand and took possession of the book.

"Pour it out yourself, there's a dear; and mine too."

"_Voila donc_! What laziness!"

"Energetic people are privileged to be lazy--sometimes."

He laughed, and obeyed her, setting a cup and plate within reach.

"You seem to have been making the most of your privilege. Have you
done anything while I was out?"

"But yes. I have been possessing my soul in quietness; and--I have
been talking to Eldred."

He passed a caressing hand over her hair.

"_Pauvre petite_! How much of that do you really believe?"

"Don't ask uncomfortable questions! At least it helps a little when I
feel I can't wait any longer, and--I am almost sure it helps him too.
I shall find that out when--_if_ he gets back."

"Let 'ifs' alone, _ma belle_. They are gadflies of the devil's
breeding. That great Scotchman of yours would work his way back to
you, if he had to go through hell to do it. _Moi, je le sais_."

She flushed softly; and her eyes looked beyond his through the open
doorway, rapt and shining.

"You _do_ believe in him now, Michel," she said. "And you forgive him?
He has made me so supremely happy."

Michael shook his head.

"Was I ever an altruist, _petite soeur_? If the man had not made you
happy, I should never have rested till I had you back again. As it
is--" he shrugged his shoulders with an expressive turn of the
hands--"one is glad--for your sake; and one makes the best of an empty
house. But, _mon Dieu_! it _is_ empty without you, Quita! You have
light and fire in you;--now, more than ever. You have temperament.
You inspire a man. Your absence actually affects the quality of my
work. Absurd; but true! And as for my affairs--_nom de Dieu_, the
money slips away like water, but the bills never get pa