"Oh, you don't know!—you don't know!—You are free; there are other women, other hopes—try to understand what freedom means!"
"It means—you,, Shiela."
She fell silent; then:
"Wherever I turn, whatever I say—all paths and words lead back again to you and me. I should not have come."
The hard, hammering pulse in his throat made it difficult for him to speak; but he managed to force an unsteady laugh; "Shiela, there is only one way for me, now—to fire and fall back. I've got to go up to Portlaw's camp anyhow—"
"And after that?"
"Mrs. Ascott wants a miniature Versailles. I'll show you the rough sketches—"
"And after that?"
"I've one or two promises—"
"And afterward?"