But I was not sure of being ready to tell her, so many things had to be formulated first. To gain more time I lighted another cigarette, and she spoke while I was doing it. Holding her own cigarette delicately, as if examining its spark, she said, with a staccato intonation that emphasized each word: "Billy, you remember what I said earlier this afternoon? I can go back to our past and try to pick it up. I can’t go back to anything that comes after that past and—and before to-day. Do you understand? It’s more than three years since they told me your section was blown to pieces at Bourg-la-Comtesse. Most of your comrades were found—-and buried. You were missing; but missing with very little hope. As the weeks went by that little hope dwindled till there was none. Then came the news that—that all that time you had been—alive." "And I suppose that Wolf told you..." "He told me a story, or as much of it as I could listen to. But that’s not what I meant to speak about now. I want to say that—that I bury all that, deep, deep; only that I can’t do it unless you consent to bury—" "Everything there’s been on your side. Is that it, Vio?" "I shall ask no questions." "Not even if I’m ready to answer them?" "Not even if you’re ready to answer them; but I shall expect you not to ask questions of me." "So that between us there will be a gulf of silence." She inclined her head without speaking. "But why, Vio? Why?" She swept up to me, throwing away her cigarette, and laying both her hands on my shoulders. "Because, old boy, I’m your wife, and I’m trying to help you. I’m trying to help you because—because—" Her nearness, the scent of her person, the black-opal mystery and fire were like hypnotic enchantment. "Because you used to—to care for me a little, Vio? Is it possible that—that I can think that?" She nodded. "That’s part of it, of course. I don’t forget it. But what I remember more is what I’ve told you already, that, whatever you did, I sent you to do it. Now, if there’s expiation to be made, I come in for that as well as you." "So that we make it together?" "So that we make it together." Having already been bold I grew bolder. Lifting my hands to my shoulders I laid them on hers. "And will you—will you let me kiss you on that, Vio?" "Once," she consented; "but—but don’t—don’t touch me." *PART III* *CHAPTER I*