What's done is done." He paused, then added: "Don't forget, Nan, a Davenant's word is his bond--always." She responded to the demand in his voice as a thoroughbred answers to the touch of the whip.

The champagne glass trembled a little in her fingers, as she took it from him, and clicked against her teeth.

She swallowed the wine and replaced the glass on the table.
"Thank you," she said quietly.

But it wasn't the wine for which she thanked him.

She knew, just as he had known, that she had been on the verge of utter break-down.