The library was the adjoining room and Robin rose and went with him without any comment or question. Already the time had come when formalities had dropped away and people did not ask for trivial explanations. The pace of events had become too rapid. "There are a lot of chances when a man goes out--that he won't come back," he said, still standing after she had taken a place in the window-seat he guided her to. "There are not as many as one's friends can't help thinking--but there are enough to make him feel he'd like to leave things straight when he goes. What I want you to let me say is, that the minute I had made a fool of myself the night of the dance, I knew what an ass I had been and I was ready to grovel." Robin's lifted face was quite gentle. Suddenly she was thinking self-reproachingly, "Oh, poor boy--poor boy!" "I flew into a temper and would not let you," she answered him. "It _was_ temper--but there were things you didn't know. It was not your fault that you didn't." The square, good-natured face flushed with relief, and George's voice became even slightly unsteady. "That's kind of you," he said, "it's _kind_ and I'm jolly grateful. Things mean a lot just now--with all one's people in such a state and trying so pluckily to hide it. I just wanted to make sure that you knew that _I_ knew that the thing only happened because I was a silly idiot and for no other reason. You will believe me, won't you, and won't remember it if you ever remember me?" "I shall remember you--and it is as if--that had never happened at all." She put out, as she got up, such a kind hand that he grasped it almost joyously. "You have made it awfully easy for me. Thank you, Miss Lawless." He hesitated a second and then dropped his voice. "I wonder if I dare--I wonder if it would be cheek--and impudence if I said something else?" "Scarcely anything seems cheek or impudence now," Robin answered with simple sadness. "Nothing ordinary seems to matter because _everything_ is of so much importance." "I feel as if what I wanted to say was one of the things that _are_ important. I don't know what--older people--or safe ones--would think about it, but--" He broke off and began again. "To _us_ young ones who are facing-- It's the only big thing that's left us--in our bit of the present. We can only be sure of to-day--" "Yes--yes," Robin cried out low. "Only to-day--just to-day." She even panted a little and George, looking into her eyes, knew that he might say anything, because for a reason she was one of the girls who in this hour could understand. "Perhaps you don't know where our house is," he said quite quickly. "It is one of those in the Square--facing the Gardens. I might have played with you there when I was a little chap--but I don't think I did." "Nobody did but Donal," she said, quickly also. How did she know that he was going to say something to her about Donal?