He rose to his feet at once and they strolled slowly along on the least
frequented footpath.

"I hope so much," she went on, "that my husband's connection with the man
you dislike will not make any difference. You must meet him, of
course--my husband, I mean. You will not like him and he will not
understand you, but you need not see much of him. Our ways,
unfortunately, have lain apart for some time."

"You have your troubles," he said quietly. "I knew it when you first
began to talk to me at Étaples."

"I have my troubles," she admitted. "You will understand them when you
know me better. Sometimes I think they are more than I can bear. Tonight
I feel inclined to make light of them. It is a great thing to have
friends. I have so few."

"I am a little ambitious," he ventured. "I do not wish to take my place
amongst the rank and file. I want to be something different to you in
life--more than any one else. If affection and devotion count, I shall
earn my place."

Her eyes were filled with tears as she gave him her hand.

"Indeed," she assured him, "you are there already. You have been there in
my thoughts for so long. If you wish to keep your place, you will find
very little competition. I am rather a dull woman these days, and I have
very little to give."

He smiled confidently as he stopped a taxicab and handed her in.