And she could not shake it off in the train; she could only just keep back the tears.
At Victoria she took a cab and finally reached home. The servants said her husband was in his study.
'Hulloa!' he said. 'I didn't expect you to-night.'
'I couldn't stay; it was awful.' Then she went up to him and looked into his eyes. 'You do love me, Herbert, don't you?' she said, her voice suddenly breaking. 'I want your love so badly.'
'I love you with all my heart!' he said, putting his arms round her.
But she could restrain herself no longer; the strong arms seemed to take away the rest of her strength, and she burst into tears.
'I will try and be a good wife to you, Herbert,' she said, as he kissed them away.
_Colston & Coy, Limited, Printers, Edinburgh_