nothing could stand in the way of his purpose. The sobs grew less
despairing, her understanding of things less vague and uncertain.
A few moments before she had felt that she was no kin to the world;
now there was a new appreciation of love and its greatness in her
soul.

This man had loved her, and he would take her up and shield her
against the hate of the world. There had not been a moment when her
own love for him wavered; she worshipped him now as she had in the
beginning. The revelation of Droom, the theatric scenes in the cafe,
the crushing of the small hope she had cherished, all conspired
in this secure moment to waken her into a realisation of what an
overbalancing power love is.

Unconsciously her fingers tightened upon his and her body drew
closer; she was arraying herself against the fear that she might
lose this haven of rest and joy, after all--the haven she had been
willing to scourge and destroy in the bitterness of her heart. A
great wave of pity for herself came sweeping over her. It grew out
of the dread that he might, after all, deny her the place that no
one else in the world could give.

Graydon's cold face was suddenly illumined; the incomprehensible
sweetness of pain rushed through his blood. He had given up his hope
as blighted after the harsh hour with Droom; he could not believe
his newfound success. Doubt, unbelief, enveloped him as he raised
her head, a kiss crying for its kind. His arm crept behind her
shoulders. She did not offer a repulse; her wet cheek touched his
in submission. It was the first time his hungry arms had held her
in centuries it seemed to him--and to her; it was the first time