How could he leave her so far from home, in the night, by the river?
He went back.

He knew what such return meant.

It was defeat after all.
He knew what his first word to her would be.
He sought her now, sought her that she might never leave him again.

The flood of passion was too strong; that moment of supreme restraint had but massed the waters into overwhelming power.

It was the thought of danger to her that had ended all pity for Gilbert.
She was not in sight.