"Ah, no, there were others to do that—no, God gave you back to me because He is merciful, and because I love you—want you—need you so much!"
"Oh, my Hermione—Kiss me!"
A knock at the door, and, quick-breathing, she drew from him as the voice of Mrs. Trapes reached them.
"Ten minutes is up!" she announced as she entered, "and Hermy, if you don't want th' doctor t' see you in your nightdress an' that—"
"Ann!" gasped Hermione, drawing the folds of her kimono about her.
"Anyway, he's coming."
Up sprang Hermione, in doing which she lost a slipper.
"Give it me!" she pleaded, for Ravenslee had caught it up.
"Dear, you have one—be content," he answered. "And surely I may kiss my wife's slipper without you having to blush so—so deliciously, Hermione?"
"It's so—old and shabby!" said she faintly.