Pat was far too exhausted, far too dazed, to feel anything but the faintest sensation of relief. She realized only dimly that tears were welling from her eyes, and that sharp sobs were shaking her. She was for the moment unable to stir, and it was not long until the being at the table turned stricken eyes on her that she moved. Then she drew her knees up before her, as if to hide her body behind their slim, chiffon-clad grace. Nick rose from the table, approaching her with weary, hesitant tread. He seized a cover of some sort that was folded over the foot of the couch, shook it out and cast it over her. She clutched it about her body, sat erect and leaned back against the wall in utter exhaustion. Many minutes passed with no word from either of the occupants of the unholy chamber. It was Nick who broke the long silence. "Pat," he murmured in low tones. "Pat--Dear. Are you--all right?" She stared at him dazedly without answer. "Honey!" he said. "Honey! Tell me you're all right!" "All right?" she repeated uncomprehendingly. "Yes. I guess I'm all right." "Then go, Pat! Get away from here before he--before anything happens! Put your clothes on and hurry away!" "I can't!" she said, faintly. "I--can't!" "You must, Honey!" "I'm just--not able to. I will soon, Nick--honest. When I--when I get my breath back." "Pat!" There was anguish in the cry. "Oh, God--Pat! We mustn't ever be together again--not ever!" "No," she said. A bit of sanity was returning to her; comprehension of her position sent a shudder through her. "No, we mustn't." "I couldn't bear another night like this--watching! I'd go mad!" "Oh!" she choked, tears starting. "If you hadn't come back, Nick!" "I conquered him," he said. "I don't think I could do it again. It was your call that gave me the strength, Pat." He shook his head as if bewildered. "He thought it was being in love with you that weakened me, but in the end it was that which gave me the strength to subdue him." "I'm scared!" said the girl suddenly. "Oh, Nick! I'm frightened!" "You'd better go. You'd better dress and leave at once, Honey. Here." He gathered her clothes from the floor, depositing them beside her on the couch. "There are pins in the tray on the table, Pat. Fix yourself up as well as you can, dear--and hurry out of here!" He turned toward the door as if to leave, and a shock of terror shook her. "Nick!" she cried. "Don't go away! I'm more afraid when I can't see you--afraid that _he_--" She broke off sobbing. "All right, Honey. I'll turn my back." She slipped out from under the blanket, found the pins, and repaired her ruined costume. The frock was torn, crushed and bedraggled; she pinned it together at the throat, though her trembling fingers made the task difficult. She pulled it on and took a tentative step toward the door. "Nick!" she called as a wave of dizziness sent her swaying against the wall. "What's the matter, Honey?" He turned anxiously at her cry.