O'Rane dropped on to one knee and drew her two hands into his own.
"It's much more fun living, sweetheart!" he whispered. "And you're going to live, you're going to make whatever you like of your life. If you want me, I shall always be at hand, as I am now; and, if you don't want me, I shall keep away. I owe you so much, my darling; you must give me the chance of paying you back a little bit. When we married, I didn't give either of us a fair trial, I forgot the life you were accustomed to, I forgot that my own life wasn't like everyone else's; I just went ahead, doing everything that came natural to me, and it never occurred to me that I was making you unhappy. Forgive me, Sonia!"
She dragged one hand away and covered her eyes.
"I don't know that I've got much to forgive," she murmured, and I could see her lips curving to a wistful smile.
"I shouldn't have asked you, it I didn't need it. Sonia, you're going to be brave, aren't you?"
"Yes."
"Promise?"
The lines of her throat tightened.
"You know what my promises are worth, David."