When would he kiss her again, she wondered?
Ah, when, when?
There was another thought at the back of her wonder which she felt to be presumptuous, but which nevertheless could not be kept completely in abeyance.

He had said that there would be no consequences; but--had he really meant it?
Was it possible ever to awake wholly from so perfect a dream?
Was it not rather the great reality of things to which she had suddenly come, and all her past life a mere background of shadows?
How could she ever go back into that dimness now that she felt the glorious rays of this new radiance upon her?
And he also--was it possible that he could ever forget?
Surely it had ceased to be just a game to either of them! Surely, surely, the wonder and the rapture had caught him also into the magic web--the golden maze of Romance! She leaned her head on her hand and gave herself up to the great enchantment, feeling again his kisses upon lips and eyes and brow, and the thrilling irresistibility of his hold.

Ah, this was life indeed! Ah, this was life! A soft footfall near her made her look up sharply, and she saw Rose de Vigne approaching.

Rose was looking even more beautiful than usual, yet for the first time Dinah contemplated her without any under-current of envy.

She moved slightly to make room for her.
"I haven't come to stay," Rose announced with her quiet, well-satisfied smile, as she drew near.