"Yes--afraid! You would have nothing to do with women, because you told yourself you despised them. We were a waste of time, you said--an encumbrance! The real reason was that you feared us. Yes--feared! Success was the breath of life to you. You had always had your own way wherever you went. You were the great Sir John Carr--the strong man--Juggernaut! You had never been beaten. Why? Because you had never had the pluck to try conclusions with a woman. Your excuse was that you were a woman-hater, when all the time you were a woman-lover. You have just admitted it, impostor! You were afraid that where every man had failed to turn you from your own hard selfish way of life, a woman might succeed. And so you ran away, and you have been running ever since. There, my strong man, there's the truth for you!" For once in his life Sir John Carr, the terror of deputations, the scourge of unsound logicians, the respectfully avoided of hecklers, had no answer ready. The reason was obvious: no answer was possible. The victory lay with Daphne. She leaned back in the settle and looked fearlessly up into her husband's face. For the first time in her life she felt maternal towards this man--twenty-two years her senior--just as old Mrs Carfrae had predicted. She was utterly and absolutely happy, too, for she had just realised that she and her husband had come together at last. They were one flesh. The time for tactful diplomacy and mutual accommodation and making allowances was over-past. No need now to guard the flame from sudden gusts and cross-winds. The candle was safely lighted, and, please God, it should burn steadily to its socket. The Safety Match had accomplished its task after all. Then she gave a happy little sigh, for her husband's great arm was around her shoulders. "All my life, Daphne," said his deep voice, "I have thought that the sweetest thing in this world was victory. Now I have just received my first defeat--you routed me, hip and thigh--and I am happier than I have ever been. Why?" "Think!" commanded a muffled voice in the neighbourhood of his waistcoat. Juggernaut obeyed. Then he continued, and his grip round Daphne grew stronger--