“Yes, sir,” Winkfield said quietly, and turned away, as Nell came back into the room.
“Will you go to him now, Winkfield?” she said. “He is so tired, but—but wonderfully peaceful, and even in spirits!”
The valet went into the bedchamber without a word, his face rather set. Nell looked up at John. “Do you think—do you think he is better, John?”
He did not hesitate. “No, dearest,” he replied gently.
“I see.” She went slowly towards him, and leaned against his shoulder as he put his arm round her. “I couldn’t wish it, of course. It is only that there have been just the two of us for so long.”
“I know.”
She put her hand up to touch his cheek. “And now there is you, and—and so much happiness in my heart that there seems to be hardly room enough for anything else. Am I really married, or is it a dream?”
“You are really married, my wife. It is the strangest wedding ever two people had, but the knot was well and truly tied.”
“I think, even though you would not say so, you must have disliked it very much.”
“No.” He turned her face up, and kissed her. “Only to be obliged to leave you, my wife. That—I do indeed dislike!”