There, in a corner of a modern drawing-room, with a glimpse of a London
street between the curtain folds, Margot and George Elgood found the
Eden which is discovered afresh by all true lovers. Such moments are
too sacred for intrusion; they live enshrined in memory until the end of
life.
It was not until a considerable time had flown by that Margot recalled
the events of the earlier evening, and with them still another claim
held by her lover upon her gratitude and devotion. Drawing back, so as
to lift her charming face to his--a rosy, sparkling face, unrecognisable
as the same white and weary visage of a few hours back, she laid her
hand on his, and said sweetly-"We went off at a tangent, didn't we? I don't know how we went off, and
forgot the real business of the evening; but I never finished thanking
you! You must think me terribly ungrateful!"
George Elgood regarded her with puzzled, adoring eyes.
"I haven't the least idea what you are talking about, but what does it
matter? What does anything matter, except that we love each other, and
are the happiest creatures on earth? Business, indeed! Why need we
trouble ourselves to talk about business? Margot, do you know that you
have a dimple in the middle of your cheek? The most beautiful dimple in
the world!"
Margot shook her head at him with a pretence of disapproval, smiling the
while, so as to show off the dimple to the best advantage.
"You mustn't make me conceited. I am vain enough already to know that
you love me, and have taken so much trouble to please me. It was kind
of you!"
"What was kind, sweetheart? There is no kindness in loving you. I had
no choice in the matter, for I simply could not help myself!"
"Ah, but you know what I mean! You have given me my two greatest
desires! I can't tell you how happy I was when I saw it."
He stared at her for a moment, then smiled complacently.
"You mean--my note?"
"No, I didn't mean your note. Not this time. I meant the magazine!"
"Magazine!"
The accent of bewilderment was unmistakably genuine, and Margot hastened
to explain still further.
"The new number of the Loadstar with Ron's poem in it!"
"Ron's poem!" The note of bewilderment was accentuated to one of
positive incredulity. "A poem by your brother in the Loadstar! I did
not know that he wrote at all."