But she laughed happily, and her eyes flashed in pride of such a man.
"Forgive me, my beloved," he said at last.

"I am beside myself with joy." She hid her face on his breast as they stood together.
"Are you very glad to come back ?" she asked at last, looking up to him with a smile that told the answer.
"Glad is too poor a word, my dear, dear lady," he said simply.
* * * * * Two hours later they were still seated side by side on the deep sofa.
Claudius had told her everything, for, now that he had accomplished his mission, there were to be no more secrets; and there were tears in Margaret's dark eyes as she heard, for she knew what it had cost him to leave her, knowing how he loved.

And then they talked on.
"If it is to be so soon, dear," she said, "let it be on Christmas Day." "So be it.

And, beloved, where shall we go ?" he asked.
"Oh, away--away from New York, and--and Mr.Barker and Mr.Screw and all these horrid people," she cried; for she too had confessed and told him all.
"Yes," he said; and was silent for a moment.

"Dear one," he began again, "there is one thing more that you ought to know--" he stopped.
"Yes ?" she said interrogatively.
"My blessed lady, I have told you the story of my birth for the first time to-day.