"That story of yours, that particular danger—well, it happened to be my particular nightmare. I don't think there were many minutes when it was out of my head. I kept it under mostly during the day, but at night it used to wear through and wake me up. I used to visualize it in all sorts of variations. You, Lettice, who hate to have a hand laid on you—"
"Who told you I disliked that?"
"You have yourself, a dozen times."
She let that pass. "I am thankful you are out of that place," she said in a low voice, half to herself. He smiled.
"I'm all right, darling. Or I soon shall be, when—"
"When what?"
"Nothing," said Gardiner. "I shall be all right soon."
He captured the hand which hung by her side and kissed it softly, inside and out. "It's been rather sport pulling your tail when you've always tried to pull mine, but I can't keep it up any longer. Are you going to give me what I want, Lettice of my heart?"
"What do you want?"