Page:The traitor; a story of the fall of the invisible empire (IA traitorstoryoffa00dixo).pdf/286

 to-night again. Don't you like the picture as well now?"

"A thousand times better, dearest," he cried. "The love that shines in your eyes will make radiant the darkest hour of life. I've nothing now to fear. Perfect love has cast out fear. My way's a shining one whether it leads to a palace or a prison."

"Come into the dining room," she whispered, leading him through the door and seating herself at the head of the table. "You remember the night we sat together here?"

"Do I!"

"Would you believe me if I told you that I tried to make you love me that night?"

"You said you tried to hate me."

"But we can't always do what we try—can we?" she asked wistfully.

"You did that night I'm sure."

"And yet, I'm failing to-night!" she sobbed, unable to keep back the tears, "just when I've told you that I love you, and the joy and wonder of it all has begun to light the world. Before I've thought only of myself. To-night I'm thinking only of you, my sweetheart! Just as I've learned to speak your name I feel you slipping away from me—oh, John darling, what will they do to you? Tell me—tell me!"