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She caught her breath and became quite still.

“Listen again!” he said. “What is done–is done; and nothing can alter it. But–your future is mine. You have forfeited the right to leave me.”

She uncovered her face in a flash to gaze at him as one confounded.

He met the look with eyes that held her own. “I say it,” he said. “You have forfeited the right. You say I am free. Am I free?”

She nodded, still with her eyes on his. “I have–no claim on you,” she whispered, brokenly.

His hands tightened; he brought her nearer to him. “And when that dream of yours comes true,” he said, “what then? What then?”

Her face quivered painfully at the question. She swallowed once or twice spasmodically, like a hurt child trying not to cry.

“That’s–nobody’s business but mine,” she said.

A very curious smile drew Merryon’s mouth. “I thought I had had something to do with it,” he said. “I think I am entitled to part-ownership, anyway.”

She shook her head, albeit she was very close to his breast. “You’re not, Billikins!” she declared, with vehemence. “You only say that–out of pity. And I don’t want pity. I–I’d rather you hated me than that! Miles rather!”

His arms went round her. He uttered a queer, passionate laugh and drew her to his heart. “And what if I offer you–love?” he said. “Have you no use for that either, my wife–my wife?”

She turned and clung to him, clung fast and desperately, as a drowning person clings to a spar. “But I’m not, Billikins! I’m not!” she whispered, with her face hidden.

“You shall be,” he made steadfast answer. “Before God you shall be.”

“Ah, do you believe in God?” she murmured.

“I do,” he said, firmly.

She gave a little sob. “Oh, Billikins, so do I. At least, I think I do; but I’m half afraid, even now, though I did try to do–the right thing. I shall only know for certain–when the dream comes true.” Her face came upwards, her lips moved softly against his neck. “Darling,” she whispered, “don’t you hope–it’ll be–a boy?”

He bent his head mutely. Somehow speech was difficult.

But Puck was not wanting speech of him just then. She turned her red lips to his. “But even if it’s a girl, darling, it won’t matter, for she’ll be born on the right side of the safety-curtain now, thanks to your goodness, your generosity.”

He stopped her sharply. “Puck! Puck!”

Their lips met. Puck was sobbing a little and smiling at the same time.

“Your love is the safety-curtain, Billikins darling,” she whispered, softly. “And I’m going to thank God for it–every day of my life.”

“My darling!” he said. “My wife!”

Her eyes shone up to his through tears. “Oh, do you realize,” she said,” that we have risen from the dead?”