Gilbert had gone back to youth.

It seemed to her that she had better treat him as though he were very young and hurt.
"Dearest," she said, "I'm going to take you away." "Are you, Alice ?" "Yes.

We will go on the yacht, and you shall read and sleep and get your strength back." He gave a queer laugh.

"You talk like a mother," he said, with a catch in his voice.
She went forward and kissed him passionately.
"I love you like a mother as well as a wife, my man," she whispered.
"Never forget that." "You're,--you're a good woman, Alice; I'm not worthy of you, my dear." It pained her exquisitely to see him so humble....

Wait until she met Joan.