The tender words broke down the last barrier of her self-control.
"Oh, K.! Take me away. Take me away! I can't stand it any longer."
She held her arms out to him, and because he was very tired and lonely, and
because more than anything else in the world just then he needed a woman's
arms, he drew her to him and held her close, his cheek to her hair.
"Poor girl!" he said. "Poor Christine! Surely there must be some happiness
for us somewhere."
But the next moment he let her go and stepped back.
"I'm sorry." Characteristically he took the blame. "I shouldn't have done
that--You know how it is with me."
"Will it always be Sidney?"
"I'm afraid it will always be Sidney."