"You cannot have your greatest importance save in your relation to me."
She looked at him long. Her eyes underwent a dozen changes. They taunted him, tempted him, comforted him, bade him hope, bade him fear.
"We must ride home," she said at length.
"And my question? I asked you if you were willing to stay here with me?"
"The question," she said with a dry little smile, "is laid very respectfully on the knees of the gods."
He turned from her and swung into his saddle. They pounded home in silence. The lines of "The Last Ride" were besetting her still.
"Who knows what's fit for us? Had fate
Proposed bliss here should sublimate
My being; had I signed the bond--
Still one must lead some life beyond,--
Have a bliss to die with, dim-descried.
This foot once planted on the goal,
This glory-garland round my soul,
Could I descry such? Try and test?"
She gave him no chance to help her dismount, but leaping to the ground, turned the good mare's head stableward, and ran to her room. He did not see her till dinner-time. Honora was at the table, and occupied their care and thought.
Afterward there was the ten-mile ride to the station, but Kate sat beside Honora. There was a full moon--and the world ached for lovers. But if any touched lips, Karl Wander and Kate Barrington knew nothing of it. At the station they shook hands.
"Are you coming back?" asked Wander. "Will you bring Honora back home?"