It was beating but very faintly.

In the agony and terror of the moment as in a flash of light her heart stood suddenly wide open to her, and the thing that for the past months had lain hidden within her deeper than her consciousness, a secret joy and pain, leaped strong and full into the open, and she knew that this man who lay bleeding and ghastly before her was dearer to her than her own life.

The sudden rush of this consciousness sweeping like a flood over her soul broke down and carried away the barrier of her maidenly reserve.

Leaning over him in a passion of self-abandonment, she breathed, "Oh, Jack, dear, dear Jack." As he lay there white and still, into her love there came a maternal tender yearning of pity.

She lifted his head in her arm, and murmured brokenly, "Oh, my love, my dear love." She kissed him on his white lips.
At the touch of her lips Jack opened his eyes, gazed at her for a moment, then with dawning recognition, he said with a faint smile, "Do--it--again." "Oh, you heard," she cried, the red blood flooding face and neck, "but I don't care, only don't go off again.