It was because of this--this secret--that I kept away from you.

You couldn't understand--oh! I saw it in your face sometimes.
You were hurt by what I did and said, and it tortured me to hurt you--to see your lip quiver, your eyes suddenly grow misty, and to know it was I who had wounded you, I, who would give the last drop of blood in my body to save you pain." There was a curious stricken expression on the face Diana turned towards him.
"So that was it!" "Yes, that was it.

I tried to put you out of my life, for I'd no right to ask you into it.

And I've failed! I can't do without you"-- his voice gathered intensity--"I want you--body and soul I want you.

And yet--a secret between husband and wife is a burden no man should ask a woman to bear." When next Diana spoke it was in a curiously cold, collected voice.