Page:Steadfast Heart.djvu/371

 now of what might come…. Then great-aunt Margaret led her protegée to the door, opened it and pushed her inside, herself remaining without triumphant. Angus took a step forward, his arms half lifted toward Lydia….

“I didn’t know,” he said. “I didn’t understand….”

Lydia lifted her eyes to his eyes, stood gazing, holding herself back from him until she could be sure. He approached another step, his eyes pleading…. She smiled, reached out and touched his cheek gently, timidly. “My dear…” she whispered. “Take me…. Hold me…. Never let me go again….”