'As a dream made into flesh: the fulfillment of a longing'. Theo thought, the fulfillment of a longing—yes. This moment, this second, is happiness. Nothing must touch it, I must not think or it will dissolve.

'Hark!' he said. 'What is that song? It's beautiful, part of this—and us.'

She bent her head and listened. It was a recent popular song; she had heard it many times, but it had meant nothing to her. Now, standing beside him, each plaintive tone of the low contralto voice sped to her heart.

Water, parted from the sea, may increase the river's tide,
To the bubbling fount may flee, or through fertile valleys glide;
Tho' in search of lost repose, through the land'tis free to roam,
Still it murmurs as it flows, panting for its native home.
Heart of mine, away from thee, sever'd from its only rest,
Tosses as a troubled sea, bound within my aching breast.
Thou alone canst give release, sprayed my burning eyes with brine.
Swelling e'er with love's increase, let my heart find rest in thine.

The soft notes died away to a distant spatter of hand-clapping.

'Let my heart find rest in thine,' he quoted slowly. 'Do you understand that—my dear?'

She looked up at him, and her eyes were filled with tears.

'Yes, I understand, but——' She broke off with a cry of fear. She heard the light footsteps behind them, even before she heard the voice she knew best in the world, tense with anger.

'Indeed, a most charming little scene,' said Aaron. He stood beside them, his face rigid.

'And just who is this individual with whom I find you philandering in corners like a street wench?'

The Captain grew white as the marble urn behind him; his hand flew to his sword hilt, but he said evenly, 'I am Meriwether Lewis of the First Regiment of Infantry'. He stepped forward, and, presenting his back to Aaron as though he were non-existent, added gently to Theo, 'There are two people who call me Meme, persons for whom I care. Will you, also?'

She dared not answer him; indeed, she no longer saw him clearly; her vision was blurred with fear by the fury she saw in her father's face.

'Father—no—please——' She heard her own hysterical cry and bit her lip. That was wrong, that was not the way. There must be a meeting-point somewhere between these two men. Aaron loved her; somehow she must make him understand.

She summoned all her control and forced a nearly natural laugh. 'You have no cause to be angry, Papa,' she said swiftly. 'The Captain and I met here by chance. He doesn't even know my name——'