He saw that the reaction was upon her in full force at last.
"The New Year, my husband," she said, and rose as she said it, drawing him after her.
"I wish you a happy New Year," she said.

"Oh help me, Oliver." She kissed him, and drew back, still holding his hands, looking at him with bright tearful eyes.
"Oliver," she cried again, "I must tell you this....

Do you know what I thought before you came ?" He shook his head, staring at her greedily.

How sweet she was! He felt her grip tighten on his hands.
"I thought I could not bear it," she whispered--"that I must end it all--ah! you know what I mean." His heart flinched as he heard her; and he drew her closer again to himself.
"It is all over! it is all over," she cried.

"Ah! do not look like that! I could not tell you if it was not."' As their lips met again there came the vibration of an electric bell from the next room, and Oliver, knowing what it meant, felt even in that instant a tremor shake his heart.