Without a rag of self-respect she flung her arms round my knees. As to her sobbing, it sounded almost real.
"So," I asked her gently, "you don't a bit mind wrecking another life?"
"I'd do anything if you told me. I'll be good, always."
"All right," said I. "Sarde found you in my arms, and that's my fault. I'll pay. Come on—get up." I lifted her to her feet. "I'll break up this marriage for you, and when you're free—"
"Oh, you're so good!" She was shamming again. "So noble!"
"Now, don't trot out your mock heroics. You're not a serial heroine by instalments. Come on. Since I've got to pay the price I may as well have the fun." I kissed her. "There, now you may kiss me. Kiss hard. It won't last long."
There were dropping shots from snipers in the hills; the hum of rapid business in the fort grew to a tumult; the sentries called from post to post:
Number one: All's well!
Number two: All's well!
Number three: All's well!
Then from a greater distance:
Number four: All's well!