nd again, all through
the years when I shall be unable to resent it. You want too much, my
Lancelot, and, you know too much.

He. How do you mean?

She. That is a part of the punishment. There cannot be perfect trust
between us.

He. In Heaven's name, why not?

She. Hush! The Other Place is quite enough. Ask yourself.

He. I don't follow.

She. You trust me so implicitly that when I look at another man Never
mind. Guy, have you ever made love to a girl a good girl?

He. Something of the sort. Centuries ago in the Dark Ages, before I ever
met you, dear.

She. Tell me what you said to her.

He. What does a man say to a girl? I've forgotten.

She. I remember. He tells her that he trusts her and worships the ground
she walks on, and that he'll love and honour and protect her till her
dying day; and so she marries in that belief. At least, I speak of one
girl who was not protected.

He. Well, and then?

She. And then, Guy, and then, that girl needs ten times the love and
trust and honour yes, honour that was enough when she was only a
mere wife if if the other life she chooses to lead is to be made even
bearable. Do you understand?

He. Even bearable! It'll be Paradise.

She. Ah! Can you give me all I've asked for not now, nor a few months
later, but when you begin to think of what you might have done if you
had kept your own appointment and your caste here when you begin to
look upon me as a drag and a burden? I shall want it most then, Guy, for
there will be no one in the wide world but you.

He. You're a little over-tired to-night, Sweetheart, and you're taking a
stage view of the situation. After the necessary business in the Courts,
the road is clear to--

She. 'The holy state of matrimony!' Ha! ha! ha!

He. Ssh! Don't laugh in that horrible way!

She. I I c-c-c-can't help it! Isn't it too absurd! Ah! Ha! ha! ha! Guy,
stop me quick or I shall l-l-laugh till we get to the Church.

He. For goodness sake, stop! Don't make an exhibition of yourself. What
is the matter with you?

She. N-nothing. I'm better now.

He. That's all right. One moment, dear. There's a little wisp of hair
got loose from behind your right ear and it's straggling over your
cheek. So!

She. Thank'oo. I'm 'fraid my hat's on one side, too.

He. What do you wear these huge dagger bonnet-skewers for? They're big
enough to kill a man with.

She. Oh! don't kill me, though. You're sticking it into my head! Let me
do it. You m