This is all there is to marriage for anyone, she thought, tolerant affection and this—this degrading submission of the body. Even with Meme it would surely have come to this in time. She clung desperately to this theory, using it as anodyne. It carried her through the visits to Clifton and Hagley. It enabled her to write cheerful letters to her father, but it lost its potency when she reached Charleston on December third. For there she met Natalie again, and no amount of feverish self-deception could blind her to the fact that her adopted sister had found in marriage, not tolerance or submission, but passionate love.

Natalie and Thomas Sumter had at last arrived from France, bringing with them a baby daughter. Joseph's own house on Church Street was for once in readiness, and Theodosia was delighted to be able to welcome the travelers in her own home.

After the bustle of greeting and the first excited exchange of news, the two young women settled down in the drawingroom to take stock of each other.

'How delicious it is to see you again, Theo!' cried Natalie, kissing her enthusiastically. 'Do you see how well I speak English now, since Thomas wants me to? What do you think of my Tom? Is he not handsome?'

Theo agreed politely. She thought Thomas Sumter a pleasant-looking young man with agreeable manners, though hardly the paragon that Natalie considered him. The French girl had grown thinner, but her pointed face was radiant, her staidness and small spinsterish ways had vanished. She babbled with an irresistible joy.

'I'm so happy to be back here in my Tommy's home, though I am happy anywhere with him. Marriage is heaven, Theo, is it not, chérie?' She paused a moment. 'You are happy, are you not, with good Joseph? He seems so fond of you.'

'Yes, of course,' said Theo briefly.

'And he is so rich, too, your Joseph,' added Natalie, laughing. 'This splendid town house and all your plantations——We are not so rich, but it matters not a bit to me. We have enough'. She leaned forward suddenly. 'Le bon Dieu has blessed me in every way. My beloved husband, my baby, and now——' she laughed, touching her stomach in a frank gesture.

'Another one so soon !' cried Theo, half-shocked. She could not recognize the prim Natalie, particularly when she answered gaily:

'Why not? What greater happiness is there in life than sleeping with the man you love and in bearing him children?'