“How? Why—was it not inevitable? It was bound to happen to you; I knew that when I came to realize the sort of man you are. Well, I am quite ready. You may tell me the truth. We will go and see Monsieur Lefèbre.”
He rested his chin on his hands and stared at the water.
“It’s amazing,” he said.
“What is, chéri?”
“Your—your——”
“Calmness?”
“Yes, that. And your generosity, and the way you understand.”
She gave a little, touching laugh.
“To get married—in France—one has to exercise much common-sense. People ask questions, demand papers. Of course there were moments—quite long ago—when I was not sure whether you would ever want to tell the truth. And—of course—a woman——”
He looked at her with a quick, brave deepening of the eyes.