Edith convinced him that she would not. They sat hand in hand, perhaps as near perfect happiness as two human beings can be.... 'We shall never be happier than we are now,' said Edith in a low voice. 'Oh, shan't we?' he said. 'Rubbish! Rot! What about our life when I come back again?--every dream realised!' 'And yet your going to risk it,' said Edith. 'Naturally; that's nothing. I shall come back like a bad penny, don't you worry. Edith, say you mean it, _again_.' 'Say I mean what?' 'Say you love me, you'll marry me. You and the children will belong to me. You won't have any regrets? Swear you won't have any regrets and remorse!' 'I never will. You know, Aylmer, I am like that. Most women know what they want till they've got it, and then they want something else! But when I get what I want I don't regret it.' 'I know, my darling sensible angel!... Edith, to think this might have happened three years ago!' 'But then I _would_ have had regrets.' 'You only thought so,' he answered. 'I should have made you forget them very soon! Don't you feel, my dear, that we're made for each other? I know it.' 'Aylmer, how shall I be able to bear your going out again? It will be like a horrible nightmare. And perhaps all we've both gone through may be for nothing!' 'No, now I've got your promise everything will be all right.... I feel I shall come back all right.... Look here, darling, you need not be unhappy with Bruce. We're not going to deceive him. And when I come back, we'll tell him. Not till then. There is really no need.' They walked together to the Annexe, which was entered by a small flight of stone steps from the garden. Here Aylmer had a little suite of rooms. Edith went into the sitting-room with him and looked round. 'It's ten o'clock and you're here for your health! Call Headley and go to bed, there's a good boy.' He held both her hands. 'I mustn't ask you to stay.' '_Aylmer_! With Dilly here! And Bruce let me come down to look after you! He was quite nice about it.' 'All right, dear, all right.... I know. No. I'm looking forward to when I come back.... Go, dear, go.' Edith walked very slowly down the steps again. He followed her back into the garden. 'And suppose--you didn't come back,' she said in a very low voice. Aylmer glanced round: there was no-one in the garden. 'I'm on my honour here,' he said. 'Go, dear, go. Go in to Dilly.' He gave her a little push. 'One kiss,' said Edith. He smiled. 'Darling girl, I've told you before that's a thing I can't do. I really oughtn't to be alone with you at all until we're quite free....' 'But I feel we're engaged,' said Edith simply. 'Is it wrong to kiss your fiancee?' 'Engaged? Of course we're engaged. Wrong? Of course it's not wrong! Only... I _can't_! Haven't got the self-command.... I do believe you're made of ice, Edith--I've often thought so.' 'Yes,' said Edith, 'I dare say you're right.' Aylmer laughed.