"When did she come in?"
"More than two hours ago, sir. I have drawn her bath, but when I opened the door a few moments ago, Madame was still asleep."
He nodded; he was trembling when he put off his overcoat and dropped hat and gloves on the carpet.
From the little rose and ivory reception room he could see the closed door of his wife"s chamber. And for a while he stood staring at it.
Then, slowly, he crossed this room, opened the door; entered.
In her bedroom the tinted twilight was like ashes of roses. He went to the bed and looked down at her shadowy face; gazed intently; listened; then, in sudden terror, bent and laid his hand on her heart. It was beating as tranquilly as a child"s; but as she stirred, turned her head, and unclosed her eyes, under his hand her heart leaped like a wild thing caught unawares and the snowy skin glowed with an exquisite and deepening tint as she lifted her arms and clasped them around her husband"s, neck, drawing his quivering face against her own.
THE END