He turned to place the fallen pieces of bread in the sink. His hand brushed hers and he felt her fingers close firmly around his palm with a squeeze. He half shut his eyes at the shock that filled his heart. Fanny's eyes, however, ignored him. She was engaged in watching Aubrey for whose benefit the entire scene was being staged. Her instinct had supplied her with a mode of attack. She would arouse desire in the novelist by showing herself desired--although by another man. A desired woman was an irritant. It aroused illogical jealousy. The icebox was in the back hallway. "The cream and things are in here," Fanny exclaimed. Keegan followed her out of the kitchen into the rear vestibule. She had squeezed his hand before starting and thrown him a glance as she passed through the doorway. He felt embarrassed for Aubrey and was on the point of inviting him to share the intimacy of the small vestibule. But Fanny interrupted him. "Oh Hugh," she called softly, "will you chop some ice, please, for the water." She handed him the ice pick and laughed nervously. The door was half open and Keegan caught a glimpse of the novelist pretending a vast interest in the arrangement of the sandwiches on the plates. "What's the matter, Hugh? You seem so ... so funny," Fanny whispered close to him. His heart contracted. He was afraid. If he dared he would put his arms around her. But after all the things he had confessed to her in their walk.... A longing to weep almost brought tears out of his eyes. He stood with his mouth open and stared as in a dream at a blurred vision. "Fanny," he muttered, "I'm sorry...." "About last night," she whispered. He nodded. "But Hughie, you said you wouldn't ever again...." He felt despair. "If I only hadn't ... I would...." He stopped. "Would what, Hughie?" Fear halted him definitely. He could go no further. A misery clouded his thought. He felt her hand touching his arm. "You mustn't feel sorry, Hugh. Please promise me you won't feel sorry...." The sweetness of her voice overpowered him and his eyes grew wet. He tried to talk but was ashamed of the quiver he felt in his throat. Fanny pressed lightly against him. He stood with his head reeling and his heart dancing crazily as her arms circled his neck. Her face was raised to his. "Just one ... Hughie. Please ... don't forget. Please hurry...." He heard her words but they conveyed no meaning. He loved her ... he loved her. He had never been happy like this. He couldn't tell her now ... the icebox, something, was in the way. But sometime he would tell her. His arms and body felt alive. "Oh," he thought, "Fanny, Fanny...." Then he heard himself repeating the thought aloud. He was saying in a voice he hardly recognized, "Oh, Fanny, Fanny." He kissed her lips.