He held up his hand.
“I did not intend to impose this condition upon you by word of mouth. I was going away without a word, but you would have received from Mr Dawes a sealed envelope as soon as the ship sailed. It contains this command in writing. He will hand it to you, of course, but now that you know the contents it will not be necessary to———”
“And when you do come back, am I to hope for something more than your pardon and a release?” she cried.
“I will not promise anything,” said he.
She drew a long breath and there was the light of triumph in her eyes. Laying her slim hand on his arm, she said:
“I am content, James. I am sure of you now. You will find me here when you choose to come back, be it one year or twenty. Now go; they are waiting for you. Be kind to them, and tell to them all that you have just told me. It will make them happy. They love me, you see.”
“Yes, they do love you,” said he, putting his hands upon her shoulders. They smiled into each other's eyes. “Good-bye, Thérèse. I will return.”
“Good-bye, James. No, do not kiss me. It would be mockery. Good luck, and God speed you home again.” Their hands met in a warm, firm clasp. “I will go with you as far as the door of my prison.”
From the open door she smiled out upon the young people in the motor and waved her handkerchief in gay farewell. Then she closed the door and walked slowly down the hallway to the big library.
“He has taken the only way to conquer himself,” she mused, half aloud. “He is a wise man, a very wise man. I might have expected this of him.”