'I felt I must see you,' she sobbed. 'You don't know what tortures I've endured.' 'Poor child.' He kissed her hair and her white, pained forehead. 'Why did you go away? You knew I wanted you.' 'I'm very sorry.' 'I've been horribly wretched. I didn't know I could suffer so much.' 'Come and sit down and tell me all about it.' He led her to the sofa and made her sit beside him. His arms were around her, and she nestled close to him. For a moment she remained silent, enjoying the feeling of great relief after the long days of agony. She smiled lightly through her tears. 'The moment I'm with you I feel so confident and happy.' 'Only when you're with me?' He asked the question caressingly, in a low passionate voice that she had never heard from his lips before. She did not answer, but clung more closely to him. Smiling, he repeated the question. 'Only when you're with me, darling?' 'I've told Bobbie and my aunt that we're going to be married. They made me suffer so dreadfully. I had to tell them. I couldn't keep it back, they said such horrible things about you.' He did not answer for a moment. 'It's very natural.' 'It's nothing to you,' she cried desperately. ' But to me.... Oh, you don't know what agony I had to endure.' 'I'm glad you told them.' 'Bobby said I must be heartless and cruel. And it's true: George is nothing to me now when I think of you. My heart is so filled with my love for you that I haven't room for anything else.' 'I hope my love will make up for all that you have lost. I want you to be happy.' She withdrew from his arms and leaned back, against the corner of the sofa. It was absolutely necessary to say what was gnawing at her heart-strings, but she felt ashamed and could not look at him. 'That wasn't the only reason I told them. I'm such a coward. I thought I was much braver.' 'Why?' Lucy felt on a sudden sick at heart. She began to tremble a little, and it was only by great strength of will that she forced herself to go on. She was horribly frightened. Her mouth was dry, and when at last the words came, her voice sounded unnatural. 'I wanted to burn my ships behind me. I wanted to reassure myself.' This time it was Alec who did not answer, for he understood now what was on her mind. His heart sank, since he saw already that he must lose her. But he had faced that possibility long ago in the heavy forests of Africa, and he had made up his mind that Lucy could do without love better than without self-respect. He made a movement to get up, but quickly Lucy put out her hand. And then suddenly a fire seized him, and a vehement determination not to give way till the end. 'I don't understand you,' he said quietly. 'Forgive me, dear,' she said. She held his hand in hers, and she spoke quickly.