“Where is she?”

“Gone to her room, probably.”

“You’re sure she’s not ill?” he demanded anxiously.

“Quite sure,” smiled Fanny.

“That’s the truth, is it?”

“Of course it is.  She—­she’s a little tired, that’s all.”

He gave a deep sigh of relief and taking off his greatcoat, threw it together with his chauffeur’s cap on the sofa.

“Thank God it’s only that!” he exclaimed.  “Jimmie said there was nothing the matter with her, but all the time I was coming up here I was thinking that perhaps suddenly she—­” Pausing abruptly he said:  “Tell her, please.”

Without a word or attempting to enter into any explanations which, under cross-examination, might become embarrassing, Fanny went to Virginia’s room and knocked at the door.

“It’s someone to see you, Virgie!” she called out.

“To see me?” echoed Virginia in a surprised tone.

“Yes.”

“Very well, I’ll be there in just a minute.”

Approaching her big brother-in-law Fanny gently laid her hand on his arm.  There was nothing to be said.  Each understood the other.

“Be very kind to her,” she said pleadingly.

“Don’t worry,” he smiled.

“She’s had a hard time.”

“So have I,” he replied with some emotion.

Fanny turned away and without another word left the room.  For a few moments that seemed like years, Stafford remained alone, his eyes fixed on the door through which would presently pass the one woman in the whole world.  It seemed like an age before she appeared.  Would she never come?  Then, all at once, the door opened and Virginia appeared on the threshold.  On seeing who the visitor was, she stood like one spellbound.  The blood went from her cheeks, leaving her deathly pale.  She made a step forward, but stumbled and nearly fell.  He darted forward and caught her in his strong arms.

“Darling!” he whispered.

Her head rested on his shoulder as it had done that first time the day at his apartment on Riverside Drive when he asked her to be his wife.  Her pale, weary face was turned upwards, her tired eyes looking wonderingly into his.  Her lips were within his reach, but he resisted the temptation.  It was enough to feel that once more she was safe within his arms.  Slowly she murmured: 

“Robert!  You did come!  You did!”

“Of course I did,” he said soothingly, as he stroked her hair caressingly.

“I’m so happy, dear,” she murmured.

“You’re not a bit happier than I am,” he said, trying to keep back the tears that were fast filling his own eyes.

“And you came for me!”

“Of course, dear.  Did you think I wouldn’t?”

“Yes, because I thought I knew you and understood you.  But I didn’t.  I knew you were fine and big, but you are finer and bigger than ever I imagined and I adore you for it!  Oh, my darling, you came for me!”