"How can you think…."
"Oh, no, you won't come back. And what is there here for you? Do you want to be adored by me? You spoiled gentlemen soon tire of that sort of thing…. Or would you like to converse with my husband? That wouldn't amuse you. He's a very silent man and his reserve thaws only when he is alone with me…. But it doesn't matter…. You have been here. And the memory of this hour will always be dear and precious to me. Now, I have something more in which my soul can take pleasure."
A muffled pain stirred in him. He felt impelled to throw himself at her feet and bury his head in her lap. But he respected the majesty of her happiness.
"And if I myself desired…."
That was all he said; all he dared to say. The sudden glory in her face commanded his silence. Under the prudence which his long experience dictated, his mood grew calmer.
But she had understood him.
In silent blessedness, she leaned her head against the wall. Then she whispered, with closed eyes: "It is well that you said no more. I might grow bold and revive hopes that are dead. But if you…."
She raised her eyes to his. A complete surrender to his will lay in her glance.
Then she raised her head with a listening gesture.
"My husband," she said, after she had fought down a slight involuntary fright, and said it with sincere joy.