This _had_ to be! I admit that I had my hour of temptation--but that has gone, and thank God my integrity survives it." "Oh, how much bigger you are than I am, dearest!" She looked down at him proudly as she stood close to his side, smoothing the tawny hair.

Then she laid one finger along his lips and made the least little kissing noise with her own lips--a trick of affection learned in the early days of their love.

After a little she stole from his side, leaving him with head bent in prayerful study--to be herself alone with her new assurance.
It was moments like this that she had come to long for and to feed her love upon.

Nor need it be concealed that there had not been one such for many months.

The situation had been graver than she was willing to acknowledge to herself.