"No, it was not that," he answered fondly, with a whimsical smile in his eyes, "the troubles would never have happened at all if I had only not paid the least attention to your haughty words in Paris, nor even at Dover, but had just continued making love to you; all would have been well!--However," he added joyously, "we will forget dark things, because to-morrow I shall take you back to Wrayth, and we shall have our real honeymoon there in perfect peace." And, as her lips met his, Zara whispered softly once more, _"Tu sais que je t'aime!"_ * * * * * Oh! the glorious joy of that second home-coming for the bridal pair! To walk to all Tristram's favorite haunts, to wander in the old rooms, and plan out their improvements, and in the late afternoons to sit in the firelight in his own sitting-room, and make pictures of their future joys together. Then he would tell her of his dreams, which once had seemed as if they must turn to Dead Sea fruit, but were now all bright and glowing with glad promise of fulfillment. His passionate delight in her seemed as if it could not find enough expression, as he grew to know the cultivation of her mind and the pure thoughts of her soul.--And her tenderness to him was all the sweeter in its exquisite submission, because her general mien was so proud. They realized they had found the greatest happiness in this world, and with the knowledge that they had achieved their desires, after anguish and pain, they held it next their hearts as heaven's gift. And when they went to Montfitchet again, to spend that Christmas, the old Duke was satisfied! * * * * * Now, all this happened two years ago. And on the second anniversary of the Tancred wedding Mr. Francis and Lady Ethelrida Markrute dined with their nephew and niece. And when they came to drinking healths, bowing to Zara her uncle raised his glass and said, "I propose a toast, that I prophesied I would, to you, my very dear niece--the toast of four supremely happy people!" And as they drank, the four joined hands. THE END End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Reason Why, by Elinor Glyn