Every day Neville and Rita worked together in the studio; and every evening they walked together in the park or sat in the cool, dusky studio, companionably conversational or permitting silence to act as their interpreter.
Then John Burleson came back from Dartford after remaining there ten days under Dr. Ogilvy's observation; and Rita arrived at the studio next day almost smiling.
"We're' going to Arizona," she said. "What do you think of that,
Kelly?"
"You poor child!" exclaimed Neville, taking her hands into his and holding them closely.
"Why, Kelly," she said gently, "I knew he had to go. This has not taken me unawares."
"I hoped there might be some doubt," he said.
"There was none in my mind. I foresaw it. Listen to me: twice in a woman's life a woman becomes a prophetess. That fatal clairvoyance is permitted to a woman twice in her life—and the second time it is neither for herself that she foresees the future, nor for him whom she loves…."
"I wish—I wish—" he hesitated; and she flushed brightly.
"I know what you wish, Kelly dear. I don't think it will ever happen. But it is so much for me to be permitted to remain near him—so much!—Ah, you don't know, Kelly! You don't know!"
"Would you marry him?"