She was too late. Even as her hand fell from the curtain Ralph Chainey swept it aside and entered. The strangely parted lovers were face to face.
For a moment the young man was only conscious that Mrs. Stone's library was occupied by a beautiful young girl.
But the moan that burst uncontrollably from Kathleen's white lips made him glance more closely at the young girl's face, and then he saw that it was his missing love.
A cry of joyful astonishment broke from him, and he sprung forward, crying, eagerly:
"Kathleen, my darling!"
His arms closed about her; he pressed her closely to his throbbing breast.
Kathleen's eyes closed, and her golden head sunk heavily on her lover's breast.
She had almost fainted with the shock of seeing him so suddenly, combined with the exquisite rapture and pain of his fond embrace.
But even while he showered kisses on her fair face and closed eyes, memory and reason began to assert themselves. She struggled faintly in his clasp, and he perceived that she was trying to free herself.