"The Mind Feminine is given to change," said he softly, "and--I

shall return--yes, I shall come back. Smile, madam! Triumph,

cousin! But I shall come between you yet--I tell you, I'll come

between you--living or dead!"

And so he turned, and was gone--into the shadows.

But as for me, I sat down, and, leaning my chin in my hand,

stared down at the broken fragments of my pipe.

"Peter?"

"You are safe now," said I, without looking up, "he is gone--but,

oh, Charmian! was there no other way--?"

She was down beside me on her knees, had taken my hand, rough and

grimy as it was, and pressed it to her lips, and so had drawn it

about her neck, holding it there, and with her face hidden in my

breast.

"Oh--strong man that is so weak!" she whispered. "Oh--grave

philosopher that is so foolish! Oh--lonely boy that is so

helpless! Oh, Peter Vibart--my Peter!"

"Charmian," said I, trembling, "what does it mean?"

"It means, Peter--"

"Yes?"

"That--the--Humble Person--"

"Yes?"

"Will--marry you--whenever you will--if--"

"Yes?"

"If you will--only--ask her."




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