"And then I came and upset it all," murmured Dick, with his lips against her hair. Her hold tightened. "It's been one perpetual struggle against appalling odds ever since," she said. "If it hadn't been for--Robin--I should never have married you." "Yes, you would," he said quietly. "That was meant. I've realized that since." "I am not sure," she said. "If you hadn't been so miserable, I should have told you the truth. You wouldn't have married me then." "Yes, I should," he said. She drew a little away to look into his face. "Dick, are you sure of that?" "I am quite sure," he said, and faintly smiled. "It's just because I am sure, that I am with you now--instead of Saltash. It was his own test." Her eyes met his unflinching. "Dick, you believe that Saltash and I are just--friends?" "I believe it," he said. "And you are not angry with him?" "No." He spoke with slight effort. "I am--grateful to him." "But you don't like him?" she said. He hesitated momentarily. "Do you?" "Yes, of course." Her brows contracted a little. "I can't help it. I always have," she said rather wistfully. He bent abruptly and kissed them. "All right, darling. So do I," he said. She smiled at him, clinging closely. "Dicky, that's the most generous thing you ever did!" "Oh, I can afford to be generous," he said, "now that I know your secrets and you know mine. Will you tell me something else now, Juliet?" "Yes, dear," she whispered. He laid his cheek against hers. "I was going to tell you my secret when you had read that last book of mine. When were you going to tell me yours?" "Oh, Dicky!" she said in some confusion, and hid her face against his neck. "No, tell me!" he said. "I want to know." But Juliet only clung a little faster to him and buried her face a little deeper. "Weren't you ever going to tell me?" he said, after a moment. "Oh, yes--some time," she murmured from his breast. "Well, when?" he persisted. "Just--any time?" "No, dear, of course not!" A muffled sound that was half-sob and half-laugh came with the words. Dick waited for a space, and then very gently began to feel for the hidden face. She tried to resist him, then, finding he would not be resisted, she took his hand and pressed it over her eyes, holding it as a shield between them. "Won't you tell me?" he said. She trembled a little in his hold. "That--that--is another secret, Dicky," she said very softly. "Mayn't I--share it, sweetheart?" he said. She uncovered her eyes with a little tremulous laugh, and lifted them to his. "Oh, I'm a coward, Dicky, a horrid coward. I thought--I thought I would tell you everything when--when you were holding your son in your arms. I thought you would have to--forgive me then." "Oh, Juliet--Juliet!" he said, and tried to smile in answer, but could not. His lips quivered suddenly, and he laid his head down upon her breast.