of course) and see with his own two eyes if she were well and happy. Exchange a casual word or two, a smile, a good-night, a good-morning. And sometimes, might she not sleep beneath his roof? Already, twice, since she had moved to Terry, she had spent several days with Cicely in Wallbridge. By marrying Cicely he would become at least an acquaintance of Sheilah's. By putting his arms around one woman, he could reach out and touch another with the tips of his fingers. A makeshift—yes. But better than void, than blankness.
It wasn't unfair to Cicely. He was not immune to her magnetism. There had always been a subtle quality about her that drew him, that still drew him. Alone with her before an open fire, after exercise, and food, and a little wine, he felt of late a very poignant attraction. Oh, he could satisfy Cicely!
To-night as his hand encircled her wrist he made a sudden decision. He would ask Cicely to marry him as soon as the telephone in the hall stopped ringing.
Cicely made no immediate response to the touch of Roger's hand upon her wrist, steadfastly keeping her eyes upon the burning logs in front of her, not stirring a muscle for a moment, for fear she would betray her violent inner agitation. Intuitively she
