"Yes, but I want you to. I'd rather hear it from you. The doctors don't think I shall ever be fit for much again, do they?" She spoke steadily, with a certain insistence. He looked up at her sharply, with something of a glare in his eyes. "You're not going to die--whatever they say!" he declared in a fierce undertone. "No--no, of course not!" She spoke soothingly, still smiling at him, for that barely checked ferocity of his sent rapture through her soul. "Do you suppose I'd be such an idiot as to go and die just when I'm beginning to enjoy life? I'm not the puny heroine of a lachrymose novel. I hope I've got more sense. No, dear, what I really meant was--was--am I ever going to be strong enough--woman enough--to give you--what you want so much?" "Vera--my dear!" He leaned swiftly to her, his arm pillowed her head. "Do you suppose--do you really suppose--I'd let you jeopardize your sweet life--after this--after this?" He was holding her closely to him, and though a little spasm of breathlessness went through her she gave herself to him with a pulsing gladness that thrilled her whole being. It was the happiest moment she had ever known. "Oh, Edward," she said, "do you--do you really feel like that?" His cheek was against her forehead. He did not speak for a few seconds. Then, with something of an effort, "Yes," he said. "It's like that with me now, my dear. I've been through--a good deal--these last days. Now I've got you back--please God, I'll keep you!" She pressed her face against him. "Ah, but Edward, you know you've always wanted--" "Oh, damn my wants!" he broke in impatiently. "I don't want anything but you now." She raised her lips to kiss his neck. "That's the loveliest thing you ever said to me, darling," she said, with a throb in her voice. "I love being an invalid--with you to spoil me. But--if you'll promise--promise--promise--to love me quite as much--if I get well, I will get well--really well--for your sake." Again she was panting. He felt it as he held her, and after a moment or two very tenderly he laid her back. "God bless you, my dear!" he said. "You needn't be afraid. I've learnt my lesson, and I shan't forget it." "The lesson of love!" she murmured, holding his hand against her thumping heart. "Yes. Juliet began the teaching. A wonderful girl that. She seems to know everything. I wonder where she learnt it." "She is wonderful," Vera agreed thoughtfully. "I sometimes think she has had a hard life. She says so little about herself." "She has moved among a fairly rapid lot," observed the squire. "Lord Saltash is intimate enough to call her by her Christian name." "Does he ever talk about her?" asked Vera, interested. "Not much," said the squire. "You think he is fond of her at all?" "I don't know. He doesn't see much of her. I haven't quite got his measure yet. He isn't the sort of man I thought he was anyway." "Then it wasn't true about Lady Joanna Farringmore?" questioned Vera.