"What for ?" "Because I haven't heard from him lately, and I must know--I must know"-- she spoke with rising agitation--"the reason why.

He might be--I don't say it is likely, but he might be--on his way home to me.

I can't--I can't give him up without knowing." Preston grimaced wryly, but he was shrewd enough to grasp and hold such advantage as was his.

"Well, failing him, you'll have me, what?
That's a promise, is it ?" She looked at him again.

"If you want me under those conditions." He put his arms about her.