But the moment
I saw you all my fears vanished. I was like a lost child who
suddenly sees her father; in your arms I felt perfectly safe, for
the first time in all my life, I think. I--I couldn't bear to go
on without you, after this."
Dave found nothing to say; they rode along side by side for a time
in a great contentment that required no speech. Then Alaire asked:
"Dear, have you considered how we--are going to explain our
marriage?"
"Won't the circumstances explain it?"
"Perhaps. And yet--It seems ages since I learned--what happened to
Ed, but in reality it's only a few hours. Won't people talk?"
Dave caught at the suggestion. "I see. Then let's keep it secret
for the present. I promise not to--act like a husband."
With a little reckless laugh she confessed, "I--I'm afraid I'll
find it difficult to be conventional."
"My wife!" he cried in sharp agony. Leaning far out, he encircled
her with his arm; then, half lifting her from her saddle, he
crushed his lips to hers. It was his first display of emotion
since Father O'Malley had united them.
There were few villages along the road they followed, and because
of the lateness of the hour all were dark, hence the party passed
through without exciting attention except from an occasional
wakeful dog.
Pages:
448
449
450
451
452
453
454
455
456
457
458
459
460
461
462
463
464
465
466
467
468
469
470
471
472