'Hark! I think I hear my father arriving, and there is something I must say to you before he comes.'
She clasped her hands nervously, the bare shapely hands with their gleaming rings, and Rallywood watched her and felt as if he were dreaming.
'Captain Rallywood, I want to thank you. I can never thank you enough for that night at Kofn Ford. I understood—pray believe I understood it—and I think you are the noblest gentleman alive!'
Rallywood did not hesitate. There was one thing Valerie should know and be certain of in the uncertain future.
'Give me a moment, Mademoiselle,' he exclaimed, detaining her. 'I see you do not quite understand. I could not expect you to understand. But now—now that I am leaving Maäsau, I must tell you the truth. Perhaps you will believe it some day. I am proud——'
'I know it, and yet you—oh, say no more! For my sake you stooped to say it. It was not true! But I knew that.'
He took her hands between his own in a firm strong clasp.
'Listen, Mademoiselle. It was true! Since first I saw you it has always been true!'
'I remember!' she said breathlessly. She could not help saying it.
'Do you?' he answered; the temptation to wander a little was too sweet. 'You wore this cloak,' he touched it softly with his fingers, then laid his hand over hers deliberately, in the quiet confident way in which he did everything and which she had grown to love, 'and ever since I have carried the glove you despised. And though this is my good-bye, I will carry it—always.'