Her very hands seemed to quicken in his as now, with sleep quite
gone, the fret of memory returned, and she must reassure both
herself and him. 'But you see, dear, mother had told me that
you--besides, I did know you at once, really; quite inside, you
know, deep down. I know I was perplexed; I didn't understand; but
that was all. Why, even when you came up in the dark, and we
talked--if you only knew how miserable I had been--though I knew
even then there was something different, still I was not a bit
afraid. Was I? And shouldn't I have been afraid, horribly afraid,
if YOU had not been YOU?' She repressed a little shudder, and
clasped his hand more closely. 'Don't let us say anything more
about it, she implored him; 'we are just together again, you and
I; that is all that matters.' But her words were like brave
soldiers who have fought their way through an ambuscade but have
left all confidence behind them.

Lawford listened; and that was enough just now--that she still,
in spite of doubt, believed in him, and thought and cared for
him. He was too tired to have refused the least kindness. He made
no answer, but leant his head on the cool, slender fingers in
gratitude and peace. And, just as he was, he almost instantly
fell asleep. He woke in the darkness to find himself alone. He
groped his way heavily to the door and turned the handle. But now
it was really locked. Energy failed him. 'I suppose--Sheila...'
he muttered.



CHAPTER FOURTEEN