CHAPTER XXIV.
When the first moment of ecstasy in the knowledge that they were indeed given back to each other was over, Michael drew Sabine to the window seat where she had been crouching only that short while before in silent misery.
"Sweetheart," he entreated, "now you have got to tell me everything--do you understand, Sabine--every single thing from the first moment in the chapel when we made those vows until now when we are going to keep them.
I want to know everything, darling child--all your thoughts and what you did with your life--and when you hated me and when you loved me----" They sat down on the velvet cushions and Sabine nestled into his arms.
"It is so difficult, Michael," she cooed, "how can I begin?
I was sillier and more ignorant than any other girl of seventeen could possibly be, I think--don't you?
Oh! don't let us speak of that part--I only remember that when you kissed me first in the chapel some kind of strange emotion came to me--then I was frightened----" "But not after a while," he interpolated, something of rapturous triumph in his fond glance, while he caressed and smoothed her hair, as her little head lay against his shoulder, "I thought you had forgiven me before I went to sleep." "Perhaps I had--I did not know myself--only that there in the gray dawn everything seemed perfectly awful and horror and terror came upon me again, and I had only one wild impulse to rush away--surely you can understand--" she paused.
"Go on, sweetheart," he commanded, "I shall not let you off one detail.
I love to make you tell me every single thing"-- and he took her hand and played with her wedding ring, but not taking it off, while Sabine thrilled with happiness.
"Well--you did not wake--and so presently I got into the sitting-room, and at last found the certificate--and just as I was going out of the door on to the balcony I heard you call my name sleepily--and for one second I nearly went back--but I did not, and got safely away and to the hotel!" "Think of my not waking!" Michael exclaimed.

"If only I had--you would never have been allowed to go--it is maddening to remember what that sleep cost--but how did you manage at the hotel ?" "It was after five o'clock and the side door was open into the yard.

Not a soul saw me, and I carried out my original plan.

I think when I was in the train I had already begun to regret bitterly, but it was too late to go back--and then next day your letter came to me at Mr.Parsons' and all my pride was up in arms!" Here Michael held her very tight.
"Oh, what a brute I was to write that letter," he cried.
"All I wanted then was to go away and forget all about you and everything and have lots of nice clothes and join my friend Moravia in Paris.

You see, I was still just a silly ignorant child.