"Jane, what does it mean to me now? I've borne my slavery all these years without groaning, but my freedom has come too late."
"Martin, what a thing to say! Freedom can never be too late."
"Can you say that to me, Jane? Jane! Don't you know how I love you—how I want you—how deeply I need you, my beloved?"
"Martin!"
He swept her into his arms with swift passion. She lay perfectly motionless against his breast for several seconds, with his cheek against her hair. Then she slowly released herself, laid her palm against his face, and looked into his eyes.
"Forgive me," he whispered.
A sound caught her attention. She looked up, and past him. Jerry was standing in the door of the studio.
CHAPTER XXXI
"Come in, Jerry," Jane said quietly.