of
London, without speaking a word. The wine in her weak state made her
sleepy, and she gradually fell into a doze, and her head slipped
sideways and rested against Tristram's shoulder, and it gave him a
tremendous thrill--her beautiful, proud head with its thick waves of
hair showing under her cap.

He was going to leave her so soon, and she would not know it--she was
asleep--he must just hold her to him a little; she would be more
comfortable like that. So, with cautious care not to wake her, he
slipped his arm under the cushion, and very gently and gradually drew
her into his embrace, so that her unconscious head rested upon his
breast.

And thus more than two hours of the journey were accomplished.

And what thoughts coursed through his brain as they went!

He loved her so madly. What did it matter how she had sinned? She was
ill and lonely, and must stay in his arms--just for to-day. But he could
never really take her to his heart--the past was too terrible for that.
And, besides, she did not love him; this gentleness was only because
she was weak and crushed, for the time. But how terribly, bitterly sweet
it was, all the same! He had the most overpowering temptation to kiss
her, but he resisted it; and presently, when they came to a level
crossing and a train gave a wild whistle, she woke with a start. It was
quite dark now, and she said, in a frightened voice, "Where am I? Where
have I been?"

Tristram slipped his arm from round her instantly, and turned on the
light.

"You are in the motor, going to Wrayth," he said. "And I am glad to say
you have been asleep. It will do you good."

She rubbed her eyes.

"Ah! I was dreaming. And Mirko was there, too, with _Maman_, and we were
so happy!" she said, as if to herself.

Tristram winced.

"Are we near home--I mean, Wrayth?" she asked.

"Not quite yet," he answered. "There will be another hour and a half."

"Need we have the light on?" she questioned. "It hurts my eyes."

He put it out, and there they sat in the growing darkness, and did not
speak any more for some time; and, bending over her, he saw that she had
dozed off again. How very weak she must have been!

He longed to take her into his arms once more, but did not like to
disturb her--she seemed to have fallen into a comfortable position among
the pillows--so he watched over her tenderly, and presently they came to
the lodge gates of Wrayth, and the stoppage caused her to wake and sit
up.