A momentary terror of giving up her freedom assailed her, and for an instant she wavered. Then she remembered her bargain with Fate—and if, finally, Roger were willing to take her when he knew everything, she would marry him.
Her hand crept out and slid into his big palm.
"Very well, Roger," she said quietly. "If—knowing everything—you still want me . . . I'll marry you."
And as his arms closed round her, crushing her in his embrace, she seemed to hear a distant sound like the closing of a door—the door of the forbidden might-have-been.
CHAPTER XIII
BY THE LOVERS' BRIDGE
The usual shower of congratulations descended upon the heads of Nan and Roger when, on their return from the rose-garden, the news of their engagement filtered through the house-party and the little bunch of friends who had "dropped in" for tea, sure of the unfailing hospitality of Mallow Court. Those amongst the former who had deeper and more troubled thoughts about the matter were perforce compelled to keep them in abeyance for the time being.
It was only when the visitors had departed that Kitty succeeded in getting Nan alone for a few minutes.
"Are you quite—quite happy, Nan?" she asked somewhat wistfully.
Nan's eyes met hers with a blankness of expression which betrayed nothing.