For he was often absent, sometimes for hours at a stretch wholly without warning, giving no explanation upon his return.

She asked no questions.

She schooled herself to patience.

She tried to be content with the close holding of his arms when they were together and the certainty that all the desire of his heart was for her alone.

But she could not wholly, drive away the conviction that at the very gates of her paradise the sword she dreaded had been turned against her.