"Oh, dear, I suppose it's all right. I'll wait till you go." Jessica sat down again, drew Hugh's arm round her, and leaned back comfortably on his shoulder. "I'm not vain," she said. "But Daddy really is different. He needs me quite badly just as I need him, and often I feel guilty for marrying you and leaving him." "But, darling, I need you frightfully. Honestly I need you more than your father. I know he loves you, but, my dear, I do more than that; I couldn't live without you." "I'm glad," said Jessica. "We're both in the same boat then." Forgetting to care about her complexion she turned her face to Hugh to be kissed. As Drusilla came in they broke apart from each other, but Jessica still kept her arms linked around Hugh's neck. "Must he go now?" she asked, vaguely. "How terribly cruel." "Yes, I'm afraid he must," said Drusilla. "Its nearly twelve and it will take you all that time to bathe and dress and have some sort of meal. But it isn't really so very cruel you know, Jessica, you've only got to wait about three hours till you have him for good." "It is cruel," Jessica persisted wildly. "He'll never have me again as Jessica Deane. It will all be quite different and it's been so lovely up till now." "But I'm longing for the end of Jessica Deane," said Hugh laughing. "Don't laugh at me; you can't be certain that everything will be all right; don't laugh at me," said Jessica brokenly. Hugh took her in his arms. "My darling," he said soberly. "I am certain that everything will be all right. It won't be any different, only a million times better." "Are you sure, Hugh? Are you really sure?" "I promise you I am. Listen, sweet, I must go now and Drusilla will help you to dress and look after you, won't you, Drusilla?" He looked appealingly over Jessica's head. "And I'll be waiting for you when you come up the aisle with your father, and you must tip me a little wink when you get to me just to show me you're all right." "Oh, darling, of course I'm all right," said Jessica happily. "I am, Drusilla, aren't I? I'm only a little crazed to-day, it's all so queer and lovely. I don't know what got me, I just suddenly felt sad for a minute. I think it was thinking about Daddy, but I'll go and comfort him a little when you've gone. Goodbye, my own dear love." "I believe this is the only time I've ever said good-bye to you without getting an actual physical pain in the pit of my stomach." "My dears," interrupted Drusilla, still waiting in the doorway, "I don't want to interrupt you, but-- "All right, Drusilla, I've gone; better do it quickly." Hugh kissed Jessica, ran downstairs and in a moment the slam of the front door echoed through the house. Jessica stood still where he had left her, staring vacantly after him. "Jessica, are you asleep?" Drusilla asked her. She shook her head and her eyes lightened.