She was loved.

That is happiness certainly.
And the black past and the troubled present and the uncertain future could not snatch that from her.
What did they say as they sat there?
What nothings do people usually say in such circumstances, even if they are three-score and ten?
It was enough for Laura to hear his voice and be near him.

It was enough for him to be near her, and avoid committing himself as much as he could.
Enough for him was the present also.

Had there not always been some way out of such scrapes?
And yet Laura could not be quite content without prying into tomorrow.
How could the Colonel manage to free himself from his wife?
Would it be long?
Could he not go into some State where it would not take much time?
He could not say exactly.

That they must think of.