Then the young girl who had once been Her Serene Highness Theodorica, Grand Duchess of Esthonia, looked up at her brand-new husband and laughed.
"Did you really suppose it was these that brought me across the ocean? Did you suppose it was a passion for these that filled my heart? Did you think it was for these that I followed you?"
She laughed again, turned to Eve:
"You understand. Tell him that if he had been in rags I would have followed him like a gypsy. … They say there is gypsy blood in us. … God knows. … I think perhaps there is a little of it in all real women——" Still laughing she placed her hand lightly upon her heart — "In all women — perhaps — a Flaming Jewel imbedded here——"
Her eyes, tender and mocking, met his; she lifted the jewel-case, closed it, and placed it in his hands.
"Now," she said, "you have everything in your possession; and we are safe — we are quite safe, now, my jewels and I."
Then she went to Eve and rested both hands on her shoulders.
"Shall we put on our snow-shoes and go — home?"
Stormont flung open the bullet-splintered door. Outside in the snow he dropped on both knees to buckle on Eve's snow-shoes.
Darragh was performing like office for his wife, and the State Trooper, being unobserved, took Eve's slim hands and kissed them, looking up at her where he was kneeling.