"That is my history, Kervyn. No man has ever figured in it; none except General Baron von Reiter has ever even invaded it ... until you have done so ... and have made your wishes mine--I don't know how--and your will my inclination--and me more than the friend I was.
"One thing only you could not do--and in my heart I know you do not wish it of me--and that is, make me break my word--make me forget a promise.
"Now I have told you all," she said with a little sigh, and lay there looking at him.
"No. You have not told me what answer you mean to make."
Her eyes opened at that. "I am not in love. What answer should I make?"
"To see him and tell him what I have decided."
He said, looking at her with a hint of a smile in his eyes: "Do you think I might ever persuade you to give up your career?"
She lay perfectly still, quite tranquil, looking up at him. Suddenly her expression changed.
"Is it likely?" she said, the tint of excitement in her cheeks.
After a moment she laughed as a child laughs at the prospect of beholding wonders.
"Kervyn," she said, "please do so. I will give you every opportunity if you will remain at Trois Fontaines."
"I mean to remain in that vicinity," he said, meaningly; and she laughed again, deliciously, almost maliciously.
"It would finish you thoroughly," she said. "It would be poetic justice with a vengeance."
"Yes, mine. Oh, if you only _did_ do that!"
"I think, considering the way you look at it, that I'd better not," he said, rather seriously. "Besides, I've no time."
"Very well. Because after I have the papers I shall enter the Belgian army." He added with a hint of impatience--"Where I belong and where I ought to be now."
She became very silent at that. After a few moments she said: "Had you decided to do that before I met you?"
"Yes. I was on my way--trying to avoid the very trap I fell into."
After another silence she said: "I shall be very sorry when you go. I shall think of you when I am in England."
She had lifted her head as he spoke. After a moment she sighed like a tired child, laid her head back on his arm and rested one slender hand on his shoulder.
It suddenly seemed to her that the world, which had been going very well with her, had halted, and was beginning to go the other way.