His care for his wife, his almost reverent watchfulness for the figure in the chair, gave it a place apart, an aloofness that no one broke in upon. Yet often they saw her, from a distance, laughing and talking with her husband like a child. There was something unwarranted in the sweetness and freshness of her laugh.... It seemed to have left care behind, and yet to be filled with sympathy that sprang from a deep place. A woman with little fine lines in her face and a quick mobile mouth looked at her companion and smiled, as the laugh came to them. They had been standing by the boat-rail, looking out to sea, silent for a long time. He returned the smile. “Well?” “I was only thinking—she knows!” She made a little gesture toward the steamer-chair. “Knows what?” said the man vaguely. “Everything!” replied the woman. “Things I would give my life for!” She turned her back on him. Her eyes followed the foam in the boat’s wake. He watched her a minute in silence. Then he moved nearer to her and laid his hand on hers where it lay on the boat’s rail. “Why not?” he said. She shook her head and smiled. “I cannot be sure!” She faced him. “If I were sure... I would marry you to-morrow—to-day—any time!” She threw the words at him. “How can one be sure?” He regarded her gravely. “Isn’t that what it means?... Isn’t that a part of it—to take the risk?... Suppose there were no risk... would that be—love?” “Oh—I don’t know!—I don’t know!” She spoke as if urged by something within. Suddenly she turned to him. “It used to be so simple—to be a woman.... One loved and married—and there were children—and then one died. That was all! But now—!” She broke off. “Yes. Now, you are free—and being free, you must choose—And that means knowledge.” He looked at her narrowly. “Yes!” She moved a little from him. “And I shall know—when I have made the mistake—perhaps!” “When you take the risk!” he responded cheerfully. “Shall we go for our walk? That is safe—ten times round the deck—six times a day!” She smiled and placed her hand in his arm and they swung into the easy step of the ship’s constitutional. Six times they passed the quiet figure in its chair. Then the woman slowed her pace a little. “I cannot bear it any longer—not to know!” She lifted her hand to the figure wrapped in its steamer-rug and lying so still. “When I look at her—I cannot bear it!... She knows. She has foregathered with the great—! She knows the secret!” They had come to a stop, and she turned to him. “If I marry you I shall not be happy—” She seemed to throw out the words accusingly. “Are you happy now?” he asked gently. “I am free!” she flung back.... “There are things women must do—for the world!” She looked about her vaguely. “This is one of them—perhaps. But—” He looked at her narrowly. “Not unless—you love me.” She looked at him and smiled subtly.