"Stephen dear, I am very sorry.

I didn't want to vex you unnecessarily.

I hoped against hope--" She broke off, and knelt up before him, clasping his hand tightly against her breast.

"Stephen--dearest, you said--when our firstborn came--that he was--God's gift." "Well ?" Again that one, uncompromising word.

The vertical line deepened between her husband's brows.