Romney found that he had hoped she would change of her own accord, but this was out of the question.
"I have locked up all his papers, and locked the Forward Room. My bags are almost ready—and yours. I helped a little in your room. I could not miss that thrill.... Ah, do not be troubled. I would die here.... Bamban does not know everything. Perhaps I will be a good omen, instead of evil. I think Rajananda would not make me stay."
"Now that's queer; I had the same thought," said Romney.
Anna Erivan was standing by the table, waiting for him to come to her.
"There should not be any mission—any task at this time," she said strangely. "There should be only two in the world—two and a desert—"
"They have given us power," he answered. "All these obstacles make us only cleave together more furiously. I think I could not have known you as I know you now, if everything had been smooth for us. Perhaps it is in the Plan. There are always rapids where two rivers come together."
For an instant her eyes burned passionately into his.
"You are wise," she whispered. "You fill a woman's dream. Last night you were like a priest. To-day you are like an adventurer—"
"To-night?"
"To-night—who knows what the desert will do?"