"Let us stay here," she answered; "somehow——"
"Yes?" he said enquiringly.
"Somehow I fancy the others will not come," she said, rippling with laughter. "Sir Geoffrey is always so thoughtful."
Ralph took her in his arms and kissed her passionately.
"I love you—I love you," he said, between set teeth, and Gwendolen drew a sigh of perfect content. "If it could always be like this," he went on. "Just you and I in the peace, with the river and the moonlight to reflect our happiness."
But Gwendolen shook her head.
"You would soon tire of that," she said, and when he would have demurred laid her hand upon his lips. "I hope you would, at any rate, for I would not like you to be a lotos-eater dreaming your days away. There is so much to do in the world, Ralph, and surely we, to whom so much has been given, would not wish to give nothing in return."
He kissed the hand that caressed him.
"Tell me what I am to do."
Gwendolen considered.