"You—insist!" She looked at him curiously, a quivering smile about her lips.
His eyes met hers uncompromisingly. "If necessary," he said.
She made a movement to free herself, but he frustrated her, gently but with indisputable mastery.
"Stella," he said, "things may be difficult. I know they are. But, my dear, don't make them impossible! Let us pull together in this as in everything else!"
She met his look steadily. "You know what will happen, don't you?" she said. "He will order me to Bhulwana."
Monck's hand tightened upon hers. "Better that," he said, under his breath, "than to lose you altogether!"
"And if it kills me to leave you?" she said. "What then?"
He made a gesture that was almost violent, but instantly restrained himself. "I think you are braver than that," he said.
Her lips quivered again piteously. "I am not brave at all," she said. "I left all my courage—all my faith—in the mountains one terrible morning—when God cursed me for marrying a man I did not love—and took—the man—- away."
"My darling!" Monck said. He drew her to him again, holding her passionately close, kissing the trembling lips till they clung to his in answer. "Can't you forget all that," he said, "put it right away from you, think only of what lies before."