With a sigh Vane rose and stood over her. "Come on," he laughed, holding out his hand to help her up. "And then I'll untie the boat. . . ."
He swung her up beside him and for a moment they looked into one another's eyes.
"I hope," he said, "that you'll be happy, my dear, so happy." And his voice was very tender. . . .
They rowed back towards the boat-house, where Sir James was waiting for them.
"Come and have tea, you two," he cried cheerily, and Joan waved her hand at him. Then she looked at Vane.
"It's been a wonderful afternoon of make-believe," she said softly. "I've just loved it. . . ." Vane said nothing, but just as they were stepping out of the boat he took her arm gently.
"Are you quite certain, lady," he whispered, "that it must be—make-believe? . . ."
For a while she stood motionless, and then she smiled "Why, of course. . . . There's your beaten track to find, and there's She who must be obeyed. And there's also. . . ."
"The cigar with the band round it." Vane's hand dropped to his side.
"Perhaps you're right. . . ."
They strolled together towards Sir James. And it was just before they came within earshot that Vane spoke again. "Would you care to play the game again, grey girl?"