You have every right to leave me--us, Alethea.

' "None of those things matter," said Alethea, hurrying a little so

that she could say what she had to say and go.

"T'd never have left you for any one of them; they'd have all come right in the end.

' "But this--whatever it is--won't?

' She had taken her gloves off and was twisting them ruthlessly into a

shapeless suede ruin.

"No.

' It was astonishing how difficult it was to get the words out.

They came in a rush finally.

"It's so silly of me; I've fallen in love with you, Sarre.

You'll find that hard to believe after Nick.

but of course I've never been in love before, only thought I had--it's

quite different.

' Sarre spoke very quietly.

"Yes, it is, isn't it?

I have thought myself in love a dozen times, and that includes my first

wife, but when I fell in love with you, I knew that none of them counted--only you, my darling.

' Alethea dropped her gloves and stared at him with her mouth open.

"You're in love with me?

You never said so.

' "T was afraid to.

You see, I wasn't sure about young Penrose.

Once or twice I very nearly told you that I loved you and each time

something prevented me.

I knew I'd have no peace until you had been back and seen him.

' He left the desk and caught her close so that her very ribs ached.

"Do you remember when I hauled you out of that cellar?

There was a candle.

' She interrupted him in a little rush of words.

"You said "by sun and candlelight" , but I didn't understand.

it's Elizabeth Barrett Browning, isn't it?

"I love thee to the level of every day's most quiet need, by sun and

candlelight. .."

Do you really, Sarre?

' He bent his head and kissed her without answering and it really was

far more satisfactory than words.

Presently she lifted her head.

"All those men.

' "A meeting--a medical committee meeting, my dearest, not in the least

important.

What have you done with Al?

' "He's outside, waiting.

Sarre, do the children really want me for their mama?

' "Oh, yes, indeed they do.

What is more important, I want you for my wife.

' She leaned up to kiss him.

"What about Granny?

' "There's the telephone, my love; we'll let her know as soon as we get

home.

' He kissed her again.

"We'll go now.

' Al was waiting, sitting patiently reading the Daily Mirror behind the

wheel.

He got out of the car as soon as he saw them, gave them a quick look

and said in a tone of deep satisfaction: "Goin' 'ome, are we?

Now that's what I calls a 'appy ending.

It'll be the champagne tonight, eh.

Guv?

' Sarre had his arm around Alethea's shoulders.

"Right as usual, Al, champagne for everyone.

' He smiled at his faithful old servant.

"T'll take Mevrouw van Diederijk home with me.

Bring yourself home, will you?

And take the luggage indoors and see that someone unpacks it.

Thanks.