“Richard, what has happened?” cried Anne. “What can have happened since I left you so light-hearted, so happy, so boyish? Are you ill? You aren’t ill?” “No, dear, but I grew old,” said Richard. “Tell me about it, Anne; don’t be afraid to trust me. Do you think I could blame you, sweet, or want anything but your dearest desire?” “Oh, Richard, Richard, who has wounded you, what has happened?” cried Anne again. “Who has been here?” “No one has been here but little Anne,” said Richard. “Ah, little Anne!” She caught her breath. “There was nothing for me to tell you, Richard, dearest, but--what has she told you?” “Little Anne’s perception, though limited by lack of full understanding, is truer than yours, dear. Little Anne had heard it said that it was not fair to me, so she came to put her knowledge into my hands, actuated by her extreme conscientiousness and without consulting her elders. So she acted directly and properly, as children will. It was true that it was not fair to me, dear Anne! But that little Anne came to me I might have gone on and made you wretched, you whom of all the world I most want to make happy! You see, dear girl, this was not fair to me; little Anne was right. I am not a dragon, devouring maidens, least of all this dear maid! And now aren’t you ready to tell me all about it? Tell me as if I were your brother. What did you say to Kit to-day? Did you promise him to come to me and tell me how dearly you loved him? He is a fine lad, dear!” “Oh, Richard, Richard!” moaned Anne. “Oh, Richard, the lion-hearted!” “Come, that’s better than to be a dragon, though the lion’s share is supposed to be formidable! Anne, dear, you, being you, do not need to be told that to love means to desire the good of the person beloved. When is Kit---- Did you promise Kit to tell me what might have been the sad story, but now is to be a happy one?” asked Richard. “I told Kit that I would not see him again till he and I were cured of this unhappy love. It will be cured, Richard! Trust me; I shall love my husband and no one else!” Anne cried. “Surely. You will not turn from Kit, your husband! Do you imagine that I think of you as fickle, playing with love, my dear?” said Richard. “Not Kit, not Kit my husband; you, you, Richard!” cried Anne, wildly. “Kit saw it as I did. He couldn’t see it so at first, because he is undisciplined. It is natural to take what you want if you can snatch it. But he did see, and he willingly laid down his--no; he had no claim to lay down--he willingly admitted your claim. And he has said good-bye to me, Richard, and is gone, wholly, completely gone out of my life. Don’t say, don’t think I deceived you! How could I tell you? I knew you would send me away. And I want to stay. I’m going to marry you, Richard, best and most unselfish of men; you, not Kit Carrington; no one but you, only you!”