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Then she caught sight of something on the arm below. "Oh, darling, did I do that?" she cried, in distress. He put the arm about her. "It doesn't matter. I don't feel it," he said. "I've got you." She lifted her lips to his again. "Billikins, darling, I didn't know it was you at first, not till I heard you laugh. I'd rather die than hurt you. You know it, don't you?"
"We can't either of us afford to lose our beauty sleep." She rose with him, still with her shining eyes lifted to his, still with that brave gaiety sparkling in their depths. She gave his arm a tight little squeeze. "My, Billikins, how you've grown!" she said, admiringly. "You always were pretty big. But to-night you're just titanic!" He smiled and touched her cheek, not speaking.
"Do what?" he questioned, sombrely. "Kill me, Billikins," she answered, swiftly. "Kill me sooner than let me go." He bent his head. "Yes," he said. "My love is strong enough for that." "But what would you do afterwards?" she breathed, her lips raised to his. A momentary surprise showed in his eyes. "Afterwards?" he questioned. "After I was gone, darling?" she said, anxiously.
"It isn't all my fault, Billikins," she whispered, wistfully, "that men treat me lightly." He set his teeth. "It must be your fault," he declared, firmly. "You can help it if you try." She turned her face more fully to his. "How grim you look, darling! You haven't kissed me for quite five minutes." "I feel more like whipping you," he said, grimly.
She leapt in his arms as if he had been about to put his words into action. "Oh, no!" she cried. "No, you wouldn't beat me, Billikins. You you wouldn't, dear, would you?" Her great eyes, dilated and imploring, gazed into his for a long desperate second ere she gave herself back to him with a sobbing laugh. "You're not in earnest, of course. I'm silly to listen to you.
He uttered a queer, passionate laugh and drew her to his heart. "And what if I offer you love?" he said. "Have you no use for that either, my wife my wife?" She turned and clung to him, clung fast and desperately, as a drowning person clings to a spar. "But I'm not, Billikins! I'm not!" she whispered, with her face hidden. "You shall be," he made steadfast answer. "Before God you shall be."
It was bad enough to have to leave her after the ordeal they had just faced together. He did not want her terrified on his account as well. But when he joined them she was still smiling, eager only to provide for any possible want of his, not thinking of herself at all. "I hope you will enjoy your picnic, Billikins," she said. "I'll shut the door after you, and I shall know it's properly fastened.
"But I've nothing to wear, Billikins, nothing but what I've got on. I didn't know it was going to rain so. You'll have to lend me a suit of pyjamas, dear, while I get my things dried. You see" she halted a little "I came away in rather a hurry. I was bored." Merryon, oddly sobered by her utter dependence upon him, turned aside and foraged for brandy. She came close to him while he poured it out.
He crushed her to him, feeling the quick beat of her heart against his own, the throbbing surrender of her whole being to his. He kissed her burningly, with such a passion of devotion as had never before moved him. She laughed rapturously. "Isn't it great, Billikins?" she said. "And I'd have missed it all if it hadn't been for you.
"Meaning you don't want me?" she demanded, unexpectedly. "Not for the hot weather," said Merryon. She sprang suddenly to her feet. "I won't go, Billikins!" she declared, fiercely, "I just won't!" He looked at her, sternly resolute. "You must go," he said, with unwavering decision. "You're tired of me! Is that it?" she demanded. He raised his brows.
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