“I was only thinking—she knows!” She made a little gesture toward the steamer-chair.
“Knows what?” said the man vaguely.
“Everything!” replied the woman. “Things I would give my life for!” She turned her back on him. Her eyes followed the foam in the boat’s wake.
He watched her a minute in silence. Then he moved nearer to her and laid his hand on hers where it lay on the boat’s rail. “Why not?” he said.
She shook her head and smiled. “I cannot be sure!” She faced him. “If I were sure... I would marry you to-morrow—to-day—any time!” She threw the words at him. “How can one be sure?” He regarded her gravely. “Isn’t that what it means?... Isn’t that a part of it—to take the risk?... Suppose there were no risk... would that be—love?”
“Oh—I don’t know!—I don’t know!” She spoke as if urged by something within.
Suddenly she turned to him. “It used to be so simple—to be a woman.... One loved and married—and there were children—and then one died. That was all! But now—!” She broke off.
“Yes. Now, you are free—and being free, you must choose—And that means knowledge.” He looked at her narrowly.
“Yes!” She moved a little from him. “And I shall know—when I have made the mistake—perhaps!”
“When you take the risk!” he responded cheerfully. “Shall we go for our walk? That is safe—ten times round the deck—six times a day!”