"It is a joy to live on such a night as this," she said, after the moment of silence which followed their coming.
Duncan leaned toward her, and spoke in the deep, soft tones Marion remembered so well. "I feel," he said, "that heaven has sent us this peaceful night to show us that happiness can be a reality."
"It is fortunate that perfect happiness seldom comes," she replied; "the monotony of it would be unendurable."
"Do you think it would be monotonous always to love?" he asked.
"Not if it were possible," she answered after a moment of thought.
"How?" she asked, looking up into his face.
His hand touched hers. "Because, when I look into your eyes, I feel a love which no power on earth could change." She let her hand remain in his, but she turned her face away. "How can I know this love is sincere?" she asked.
"By driving the cruel spirit out of your heart. You may send me away again as you did last winter, but I will come back, for, Marion, I love you, and I must have your love." Instinctively she started to her feet. Duncan was quickly by her side. His arm was about her, and she felt his lips against her cheek.
"I love you, my Marion," he whispered passionately; "you shall not leave me." For a moment she rested her head against his breast and felt the embrace of his strong arms.
"If it were not a sin, Duncan," she said, looking up into his eyes, "I might love you."
"No love like ours can be a sin. It is heaven sent."
"If it only were," she sighed; then he drew her closer to him.
"It is, dearest," he said. "If you will listen to me, you will believe it, too."
"Then I was foolish to fancy I could read love in your eyes."
"I, torture? It is you who send me from you."
"I know it, but think of the danger we are in. Leave me to-night, Duncan. To-morrow Florence will be with Mr. Wainwright's aunt, and Roswell goes to St. Louis. Dine with me at eight, perhaps I can tell you then, but not to-night. I must have time to think."
"I will go now," he said, "but I will come to you to-morrow." He kissed her.
Duncan quietly released her and they walked silently back toward the place where they had left the others. At the corner of the building they met Sedger. It was too dark for him to notice that Marion was agitated, and any possible suspicions were averted by Duncan's saying quietly, "Here we are. We had just started to join you. Is the drag ready?"