Beyond the Rocks

There was no use staying any longer at Versailles, because the park

gates were shut and they could not stroll in the moonlight, but a drive

back and a few turns in the Bois with a little supper at Madrid would be

a fitting ending to the day.

"You must meet us at Madrid at half-past ten," she said; "and

Dominic"--the name came out as if from long habit--"telephone for a

table in the bosquet--Numero 3--I like that garçon best, he knows my

wants."

And so they got into their separate automobiles.

"Let us have all the windows down," said Theodora, "to get all the

beautiful air--it is such a lovely night."

Her heart was beating as it had never beat before. How could she control

herself! How keep calm and ordinary during the enchanting drive! Her

hands were cold as ice, while flaming roses burned in the white velvet

cheeks.

And Hector saw it all and understood, and passion surged madly in his

veins. For a mile or two there was silence--only the moonlight and the

swift rushing through the air, and the wild beating of their hearts. And

so they came to the long, dark stretch of wood by St. Cloud. And the

devil whispered sophistries and fate continued to laugh. Then passion

was too strong for him.

"Darling," he said, and his fine resolutions fled to the winds, while

his deep voice was hoarse and broken. "My darling!--God! I love you

so--beyond all words or sense--Oh, let us be happy for this one

night--we must part afterwards I know, and I will accept that--but just

for to-night there can be no sin and no harm in being a little

happy--when we are going to pay for it with all the rest of our lives.

Let us have the memory of one hour of bliss--the angels themselves could

not grudge us that."

One hour of bliss out of a lifetime! Would it be a terrible sin,

Theodora wondered, a terrible, unforgivable sin to let him kiss her--to

let him hold her just once in his arms.

There was no light in the coupé--he had seen to that--only the great

lamps flaring in the road and the moonlight.

She clasped her hands in an agony of emotion. She was but a dove in the

net of an experienced fowler, but she did not know or think of that, nor

he either. They only knew they loved each other passionately, and this

situation was more than they could bear.