"And if I do all that," he said, a deep quiver in his voice that thrilled her through and through, "what shall I get in return? How shall I be rewarded?"
She gripped her self-control with a great effort, summoning that high courage of hers which had never before failed her.
She smiled straight up at him, a splendid, resolute smile. "You shall have—the kiss of peace," she said.
His expression changed. For a moment his hold became a grip that hurt her—bruised her. She closed her eyes with an involuntary catch of the breath, waiting, expecting she knew not what. Then, very suddenly, the strain was over. He set her free and turned from her.
"Thank you." he said, in a voice that sounded oddly strangled.
"But I don't find that—especially satisfying—just now."
His hands were clenched as he left her. She did not dare to follow him or call him back.
PART III
CHAPTER I
THE NEW ERA
Looking back later, it almost seemed to Sylvia that the days that followed were as an interval between two acts in the play of life. It was a time of transition, though what was happening within her she scarcely realized.