'I am going to Australia.' She looked slowly up at him as he stood near her chair, and looked slowly down again, while the colour gradually deepened in her cheeks. 'This is really the most entertaining thing I have heard from you in a long time,' she said lightly after awhile. 'It is the part of wisdom not to outstay one's best witticism,' returned Geoffrey in the same tone; 'so I'll be off at once. Good-bye.' He held out his hand. 'Good-bye,' she answered coldly. But she did not look up, or move her own hand. 'You won't shake hands?' 'What is the use, since we are never to meet again? If you are going, you can go without that.' 'Well, I suppose I can,' said he; and after standing a moment, during which she made no sign except to draw one deep breath, he turned and walked with a heavy tread to the door. 'Mr. Herne!' he heard her say as he laid his hand upon the latch. He looked round without speaking. She beckoned him to her with a movement of the head and hand. 'Excuse me,' she said, 'but I think you--you have left something. Will you come back here a moment?' There was a vibration in her voice that was new to Geoffrey. He came back. 'You were going away without shaking hands,' she said, looking up at him with a curious smile. 'You said that----' 'Oh, well, don't let us quarrel any more; I am tired of it. Here is my hand.' Geoffrey took it. How soft it was--and how cold! It lay lightly in the embrace of his fingers, but he could perceive a slight tremulousness in it, which seemed also to pervade her whole body. 'You spoke of my having left something----' he began at length. Her hand suddenly became alive in his, and grasped it tightly. She drew it to her cheek, that was as smooth as the petal of a lily; then slowly turned her face until her lips rested on it. All the blood flew tumultuously through Geoffrey's veins and sang in his ears. He was on his knee beside her, and looking in her eyes, which met his for a moment, and then sank. 'Now go to Australia!' she said in a whisper. 'Ellice--Ellice! Were you the thing I was leaving behind, my dear?' he said, bending forwards till his lips touched hers.... After that there could be no more misunderstandings.