The Call of the Blood - Page 216/317

She undressed. When she was ready for bed she hesitated a moment. Then

she put a white shawl round her shoulders and stole quickly out of the

room. She came upon the terrace. The stars were waning. The gray of the

dawn was in the sky towards the east. Maurice, stretched upon the rugs,

with his face turned towards the terrace wall, was lying still. She went

to him, bent down, and kissed him.

"I love you," she whispered--"oh, so much!"

She did not wait, but went away at once. When she was gone he put up his

hand to his face. On his cheek there was a tear.

"God forgive me!" he said to himself. "God forgive me!"

His body was shaken by a sob.