CHAPTER III[ToC]
THE BIRTH OF A MAN
Norman stood silent and thoughtful before the fire in the dining-room, the morning after the meeting of the Socialists. His sleep had been feverish and a hundred half-formed dreams had haunted the moments in which he had lost consciousness with always the shining face of Barbara smiling and beckoning him on.
Elena silently entered and watched him a moment before he saw her.
"Still dreaming of the New Joan of Arc, Norman?" she asked with playful banter.
"I'm going to do it, Elena," he said, with slow, thoughtful emphasis.
"What? Marry her without even giving me the usual two weeks' notice?" Elena laughed.
"Now, isn't that like a woman! I wasn't even thinking of the girl——"
"Of course not."
Norman laughed. "By Jove, you're jealous at last, Elena."