"For I tell you that we women who go to our graves without having missed a single pang--we who die having known happiness and its shadow which is sorrow--the happiness and sorrow which come through love of man alone--die as we should die, in deep content of destiny fulfilled--which is the only peace beyond all understanding." The girl lowered her head and, resting her cheek on Molly's shoulder, looked down at the baby garment on her knees. "That also?" she whispered. "Yes.... Unless we pass that way, also, we can never die content.... But until a month ago I did not know it.... Strelsa--Strelsa! Are you never going to know what love can be?" The girl rose slowly, flushing and whitening by turns, and stood a moment, her hands covering her eyes. And standing so: "Do you think he will go away--from me--some day?" "Yes; he will go--unless----" "Must it be--that way?" "It will be that way, Strelsa." "I had never thought of that." "Think of it as the truth. It will be so unless you love him in his own fashion--and for his own sake. Try--if you care for him enough to try.... And if you do, you will love him for your own sake, too." "I--I had thought of--of giving myself--for his sake--because he wishes it.... I don't believe I'll be--much afraid--of him. Do you?" Molly's wise sweet eyes sparkled with silent laughter. Then without another glance at the tall, young girl before her she picked up her sewing, drew the needle from the hem, and smoothed out the lace embroidery on her knees. After a while she said: "Jim's returning on the noon train. Will you and Rix be here to luncheon?" "I don't know." "Well, ask him; I have my orders to give if you'll stay." Strelsa walked into the house; Quarren, still hunting about for a cigarette, looked up as she entered the smoking-room. "Where the dickens does Jim keep his cigarettes?" he asked. "Do you know, Strelsa?" "You poor boy!" she exclaimed laughingly, "have you been searching all this time? The wonder is that you haven't perished. Why didn't you ask me for one when we were at--our house?" "_Your_ house?" he corrected, smiling. Her gray eyes met his with a frightened sort of courage. "_Our house_--if you wish--" But her lips had begun to tremble and she could not control them or force from them another word for all her courage. He came over to where she stood, one slim hand resting against the wall; and she looked back bravely into his keen eyes--the clear, direct, questioning eyes of a boy. "I--I will--marry you," she said. A swift flush touched his face to the temples. "Don't you--want me?" she said, tremulously. "If you love me, Strelsa." "Isn't it enough--that you--love----" "No, dear." She lost her colour. "Rix! Don't you want me?" she faltered. "Not unless you want me, Strelsa." She drew a long unsteady breath. Suddenly the tears sprang to her eyes, and she held out both hands to him, blindly.