Nancy had risen with quick, indrawn breath, and stood, slim and pale, in her soft-tinted dressing-gown. He took another step towards her, still with both hands outstretched. Nancy put out a diffident hand, and her husband clasped it fervently in both his own. On his little finger was a diamond ring. He bent his sleek black head over Nancy's hand and kissed it.
"Thank God!" he murmured, and sank into a chair.
Nancy wondered what he was thanking God for. Aldo himself was not very clear about it, but it seemed an appropriate thing to say. And he had nothing else ready. The embarrassing silence was broken by Aldo. He said:
"Nancy, I have returned!"
Nancy said, "Yes," and thought disconnected thoughts about his beard and his diamond ring.
"You have thought cruel thoughts of me during all this time?"
No, Nancy had not thought cruel thoughts.
"You have left off loving me?"
Nancy looked at him with vague, dazed eyes, and smiled without knowing why. Aldo tried not to notice the smile. He said: