I had unwittingly struck the right note, for Merry smiled a little, though the tears came into her eyes, too, and she gave me a long look as she said, “sit on the porch, please, sir, and I’ll ask Miss Alma.” I sat down, and there, in that strange, eerie stillness, in that quiet, mysterious atmosphere, I vowed my life to Alma Remsen, I consecrated my heart and soul to my darling, and I determined to save her from this cloud that seemed to hang over her. To be sure, my ideas of this salvation and indeed of the cloud itself were a trifle vague, but both mind and soul were full of her and her dearness, and at a light step behind me I turned to see her coming toward me across the verandah. All in white, her golden curls a little tumbled, and her big, beautiful eyes a little heavy with trouble and sadness, she came, her two hands outstretched as if asking my aid. I rose slowly, as she slowly advanced, and it seemed to me that as she traversed those few feet across the porch and as I awaited her, we asked and answered all the necessary questions, and when at last I held her two dear hands in mine, I drew her nearer into my arms and clasped her to me. She made no resistance, she did not hold back or repulse me, but lay against my breast like a tired child, finding haven at last. I held her so, soothing her a bit, and caressing her golden head, but saying no word lest I startle her. In a moment, she lifted her head, her eyes gazed into mine and all the woe and sorrow came back into them. “No, dear,” I said, “no, don’t look like that. Look happy——” “Happy!” she said, with an awful intonation. “Yes,” I said, “like this!” and I kissed her. CHAPTER XVIII ALL RIGHT AT LAST It was just after I had given Alma that first kiss, and had realized that she was not offended by my daring, that Merry came to the house door, crying out, “Come, Miss Alma, come quickly!” and with an agonized look, Alma begged me to go at once, and she herself ran into the house. Then John Merivale came out and controlling his agitation with an effort, he said, “If you please, sir, Miss Remsen asks that you go home now. She cannot see you again and she will send you some word later on.” “Tell me what’s the trouble, Merivale,” I urged. “I am a friend of Miss Alma, more than a friend, indeed.” I looked at him squarely, as man to man, and he gazed back at me, his face drawn with strong emotion of some sort. “If you want to help her, sir, you’ll just go quietly away. You can do nothing here.” So, there was nothing to do but to go, and I started off down the garden path. I looked back at the house as I stepped on the dock, but I saw nobody at any window, nor any sign of anybody about. It was all mysterious, terribly so, but I had the remembrance of that moment when I had held Alma close in my arms, and she had offered no resistance. Surely, some day, the clouds would clear away and all would be explained.