A step at the door, a hand at the latch, and Reine comes in, interrupting the answer hovering on his lips. Vane rises abruptly.
"I will go down and smoke my segar on the balcony," he says, then, looking at his wife: "Reine, will you walk on the sand with me afterward? It will be moonlight, and the nights are very pleasant."
A smile of surprise and pleasure lights the changeful face into splendor.
"Thank you, I shall like it very much," she answers, with some inward wonder at his kindness.
"I will wait for you, then, on the balcony," he replies, and when he's gone, Mr. Langton hastens to tell her of Vane's proposal.
Her color comes and goes, her bosom heaves as she listens.
"But you know I could not leave you here alone with only a hired nurse," she remonstrates.
"You could, and you must," he replies, seriously.
"Listen, Reine, your husband has held out the olive-branch of peace, and you must not decline to accept it if you care for him. I shall do very well here with the doctor and the nurse. After all, I am not sick, only weak and fatigued. Remember Maud's peril before you refuse."
"I have written to Maud's lawyer. He will know that I have the note, and they will wait until I come," she replies.