As consciousness returns after a swoon, so did realization return to Alaire Austin. Faintly, uncertainly at first, then with a swift, strong effort she pushed herself out of Dave's reluctant arms. They stood apart, frightened. Dave's gaze was questioning. Alaire began to tremble and to struggle with her breath. "Are we--mad?" she gasped. "What have we done?" "There's no use fighting. It was here--it was bound to come out. Oh, Alaire--!" "Don't!" She shook her head, and, avoiding his outstretched hands, went to the edge of the veranda and leaned weakly against a pillar, with her head in the crook of her arm. Dave followed her, but the words he spoke were scarcely intelligible. Finally she raised her face to his: "No! It is useless to deny it--now that we know. But I didn't know, until a moment ago." "I've known, all the time--ever since the first moment I saw you," he told her, hoarsely. "To me you're all there is; nothing else matters. And you love me! God! I wonder if I'm awake." "Dream-man," she repeated, more slowly. "Oh, why did you come so late?" "So late?" "Yes. We must think it out, the best way we can, I--wonder what you think of me?" "You must know. There's no need for excuses; there's nothing to explain, except the miracle that such great happiness could come to a fellow like me." "Happiness? It means anything but that. I was miserable enough before, what shall I do now?" "Why, readjust your life," he cried, roughly. "Surely you won't hesitate after this?" But Alaire did not seem to hear him. She was staring out into the night again. "What a failure I must be!" she murmured, finally. "I suppose I should have seen this coming, but--I didn't. And in his house, too! This dress is his, and these jewels--everything!" She held up her hands and stared curiously at the few rings she wore, as if seeing them for the first time. "How does that make you feel?" Dave stirred; there was resentment in his voice when he answered: "Your husband has sacrificed his claim to you, as everybody knows. To my mind he has lost his rights. You're mine, mine! By God!" He waved a vigorous gesture of defiance. "I'll take you away from him at any cost. I'll see that he gives you up, somehow. You're all I have." "Of course the law provides a way, but you wouldn't, couldn't, understand how I feel about divorce." The mere mention of the word was difficult and caused Alaire to clench her hands. "We're both too shaken to talk sanely now, so let's wait--"