“I must, ’Lisbeth. I don’t pretend—that it’ll be easy, but I can’t live—without you. I’ve—I’ve been through hell and I’ll be content—with just your—companionship. I can do nothing without you. I—” The words choked in his throat. Again he kissed her wrist.

“You make me ashamed,” she said, very low. “I—oh, you make me ashamed.”

“There’s no need for you to be that, my darling. When you’ve—dreaded final—separation—as I’ve dreaded it— this compact seems—a great deal. More than I expected. Only—think it over, ’Lisbeth, out of fairness to yourself. It wasn’t only the—physical part that upset you. It was everything. You couldn’t stand things I did and said; I got on your nerves. Won’t that happen again, however hard I try to prevent it?”

There was a rush of tears to her eyes.

“Ah, don’t, Stephen! I’ve learned better ways, truly I have! Living alone has taught me—so much! I’ll be thankful for anything now—not criticising or letting myself be intolerant over the tiny details that don’t matter. You see, I’ve discovered that they don’t. I’m not saying this—out of impulse; I’ve thought and thought, and I know what I’m about this time. I’ve—had my eyes—thoroughly opened.”

“Then come, Elizabeth,” he said. “My—beautiful Elizabeth!”

There was more yet to be told; she would not shirk that task.

“Let me get up, Stephen. There’s something else. You’ve—got to—hear it.”

He rose at once, and it seemed to her that the haggard look crept back into his face. She came tremblingly to her feet, and stared resolutely up at him.

“About—Charles,” she said, with an effort.

The lids closed over his eyes for an instant; she saw him square his shoulders, in readiness for a blow.

“You may not want me—I—you probably heard—things. People—talked. I let—him make—love to me. I—it was wrong, wicked—only I was—so lonely, and—and I thought that he was nice—and—”

He took a swift step towards her, brow lowering, eyes dark with suspicious anger.

“What did he do to you? Tell me, Elizabeth! Tell me at once! What did he do?”

The savagery in his voice sent a thrill through her.

“Oh, no, Stephen! Nothing! I—oh, you didn’t think he was—was—my lover?”

“No!”

She drew a deep breath of relief.