“Yes, I always loved your face, but it wasn’t really beautiful. Now I think it is.”
“Anything else?” Elizabeth laughed a little.
“Yes, the patient look has gone. You used to look so patient that it hurt. As if you were carrying a heavy load and just knew you had got to carry it without making any fuss.”
“Issachar, in fact——”
“No, not then, but I’m not so sure now. I think there are two burdens now.”
Elizabeth laid her hand on Agneta’s lips.
“Agneta, you ought to be ashamed of yourself. Stop thought-reading this very minute. I never gave you leave.”
“Sorry.” Agneta kissed the hand against her lips and laid it back in Elizabeth’s lap. “Oh, Lizabeth, why didn’t you marry Louis?” she said, and Elizabeth saw that her eyes were full of tears. The firelight danced on a brilliant, falling drop.
“Because I love David,” said Elizabeth. “And love is worth while, Agneta. It is very well worth while. You knew it was when you thought that Douglas was dead. Would you have gone back to a year ago?”
“Ah, Lizabeth, don’t,” said Agneta.