Once or twice he spoke aside to the customs' officer; and Athalie instantly and gaily accused him of attempted bribery. But when they were on their way to Spring Pond in a hired touring car with his steamer trunk and suit-cases strapped behind, he drew from his pockets the articles he had declared and paid for; and Athalie grew silent in delight as she looked down at the single and lovely strand of pearls. All the way to Spring Pond she held them so, and her enchanted eyes reverted to them whenever she could bring herself to look anywhere except at him. "I wondered," she said, "whether you would come to the country or whether you might think it better to remain in town." "I shall go back to town only when you go." "Dear, does that mean that you will stay with me at our own house?" "If you want me." "Oh, Clive! I was wondering--only it seemed too heavenly to hope for." His face grew sombre for a moment. He said: "There is no other future for us. And even our comradeship will be misunderstood. But--if you are willing--" "Is there any question in your mind as to the limit of my willingness?" He said: "You know it will mark us for life. And if we remain guiltless, and our lives blameless, nevertheless this comradeship of ours will mark us for life." "Do you mean, brand us?" "Yes, dear." "Does that cause you any real apprehension?" she laughed. "I am thinking of you." "Think of me, then," she said gaily, "and know that I am happy and content. The world is turning into such a wonderful friend to me; fate is becoming so gentle and so kind. Happiness may brand me; nothing else can leave a mark. So be at ease concerning me. All shall go well with me, only when with you, my darling, all goes well." He smiled in sympathy with her gaiety of heart, but the slight shadow returned to his face again. Watching it she said: "All things shall come to us, Clive." "All things," he said, gravely,--"except fulfilment." "That, too," she murmured. "No, Athalie." "Yes," she said under her breath. He only lifted her ringless hand to his lips in hopeless silence; but she looked up at the cloudless sky and out over sunlit harvest fields and where grain and fruit were ripening, and she smiled, closing her white hand and pressing it gently against his lips. Connor met them at the door and shouldered Clive's trunk and other luggage; then Athalie slipped her arm through his and took him into the autumn glow of her garden. "Miracle after miracle, Clive--from the enchantment of July roses to the splendour of dahlia, calendula, and gladioluses. Such a wonder-house no man ever before gave to any woman.... There is not one stalk or leaf or blossom or blade of grass that is not my intimate and tender friend, my confidant, my dear preceptor, my companion beloved and adored. [Illustration: "And then her hands were in his and she was looking into his beloved eyes once more."]