"But I want to cry by myself, besides looking after the dinner."
"Cry here then, with me. Come, Cassandra, my wife! My God, I shall die with happiness."
A mortal paleness overspread his face.
"Desmond, Desmond, do you know how I love you? Feel my heart,—it has throbbed with the weight of you since that night in Belem, when you struck your head under the mantel."
He was speechless. I murmured loving words to him, till he drew a deep breath of life and strength.
"These fish are small," said Fanny at the door. "Shall I take them!"
"Certainly," said Desmond, "I'll pay for them."
"It is Ben in black lead," said Fanny.
We laughed.
At dusk Ben and Veronica drove up. Desmond was seated in the window.
Ben fixed his eyes upon him, without stopping.