He rose with the words, and instantly Piers sprang up also. "Yes, let's go! I can't breathe here. Come down to the shore for a breath of air, and I'll tell you all about it!" He linked his arm again in Crowther's, obviously glad to be gone; but when they had left the glittering place behind them, he still talked inconsequently about a thousand things till in his calm fashion Crowther turned him back. "I don't want you to tell me anything personal," he said, "save one thing. This girl whom you hope to marry--I gather you are pretty sure of her?" Piers threw back his head with a gesture that defied the world. "I am quite sure of her," he said; and a moment later, with impulsive confidence: "She has just taken the trouble to write at length and tell me why she can't have me." "Ah?" Crowther's tone held curiosity as well as kindly sympathy. "A sound reason?" "No reason at all," flung back Piers, still with his face to the stars. "She knows that as well as I do. I tell you, Crowther, I know the way to that woman's heart, and I could find it blindfold. She is mine already." "And doesn't know it?" suggested Crowther. "Yes, she does in her heart of hearts,--or soon will. I shall send her a post-card to-morrow and sum up the situation." "On a post-card?" Crowther sounded puzzled, and Piers broke into a laugh and descended to earth. "Yes, in one expressive word--'Rats!' No one else will understand it, but she will." "A little abrupt!" commented Crowther. "Yes, I'm going to be abrupt now," said Piers with imperial confidence. "I'm going to storm the position." "And you are sure you will carry it?" "Quite sure." Piers' voice held not the faintest shade of doubt. "I hope you will, lad," said Crowther kindly. "And--that being the case--may I say what I set out to say?" "Oh, go ahead!" said Piers. "It's only this," said Crowther, in his slow, quiet way. "Only a word of advice, sonny, which I shouldn't give if I didn't know that your life's happiness hangs on your taking it. You're young, but there's a locked door in your past. Open that door just once before you marry the woman you love, and show her what is behind it! It'll give her a shock maybe. But it'll be better for you both in the end. Don't let there be any locked doors between you and your wife! You're too young for that. And if she's the right sort, it won't make a pin's difference to her love. Women are like that, thank God!" He spoke with the utmost earnestness. He was evidently keenly anxious to gain his point. But his words went into utter silence. Ere they were fully spoken Piers' hand was withdrawn from his arm. His careless, swinging stride became a heavy, slackening tramp, and at last he halted altogether. They stood side by side in silence with their faces to the moon-silvered water. And there fell a long, long pause, as though the whole world stopped and listened. CHAPTER XXIV THE PROMISE