“Because we are two thrice-blessedly ignorant cockneys, dear. I hate to know what I’m going to see. It’s much better to be like stout Cortez and his men in the poem and discover things, isn’t it? By Jove, I shall never forget running into this.” “Nor I,” said Clementina. “The moment the car turned the bend to-day I knew something was going to happen here.” More had happened than Tommy dreamed of in his young philosophy. Nor did Clementina enlighten him. She slid his arm from under hers and took it, and leaned ever so little on it, for the first time for many, many years a happy woman. When they left the Temple she pleaded for an extension of their walk. She was no longer tired. She could go on for ever beneath such a moon. “A night made for lovers,” said Tommy, “and we aren’t the only ones—look!” And indeed there were couples sauntering by, head to head, talking of the things the moon had heard so many million times before. “I suppose they take us also for lovers,” said Clementina foolishly. “I don’t care if they do,” said Tommy. “Let us pretend.” “Yes,” said Clementina. “Let us pretend.” They wandered thus lover-like through the town, and came on the quay where they sat on the coping of the parapet, and watched the moonlit Rhone and the brave old Château-Fort on the hill. “Are you glad you came with me?” she asked. “It has been a sort of enchanted journey,” he replied, seriously. “And to-night—well to-night is just to-night. There are no words for it. I’ve never thanked you—there are things too deep for thanks. In return I would give you everything I’ve got—in myself, you know—if you wanted it. In fact,” he added, with a boyish laugh, “I’ve given it to you already whether you want it or not.” “I do want it, Tommy,” she said, with a catch in her voice. “You don’t know how much I want it.” “Then you have a devoted, devoted, devoted slave for the rest of your life.” “I do believe you are fond of me.” “Fond of you!” he cried. “Why, of course I am. There’s not another woman like you in the world.” He took her hand and kissed it. “Bless you,” he said. Then he rose. “We’ve sat out here long enough. Your hands are quite cold and you’ve only that silly blouse on. You’ll catch a chill.” “I’m quite warm,” said Clementina mendaciously; but she obeyed him with surprising meekness.