He did not believe the vanished years had placed between them an impassable barrier.
He put his chances to the test at last.
"Yes, I know--I understand.

You remained silent because your nature was too generous to injure anyone.

Down at the bottom of his heart, cantankerous, tyrannical as he was, John Grier loved you, and I loved you also." She made a protest of her hand.

"Oh, no! You never knew what love was--never! You had passion, you had hunger of the body, but of love you did not know.

I know you, Barode Barouche.