2
NEED 113
VIII.--PARADISE LOST 129
IX.--THE PINNACLE OF THE TEMPLE 137
PART III
X.--RONNIE ARRIVES IN A FOG 149
XI.--THE MIRAGE 160
XII.--A FRIEND IN DEED 174
XIII.--RONNIE FACES THE UPAS 192
XIV.--AS IN A MIRROR 200
PART IV
XV.--"THE FOG LIFTS" 209
XVI.--"HE MUST REMEMBER" 223
XVII.--"HE NEVER KNEW!" 246
XVIII.--THE FACE IN THE MIRROR 258
XIX.--UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN 271
XX.--GOOD-NIGHT TO THE INFANT OF PRAGUE 283
Part I CHAPTER I
WHICH SHALL SPEAK FIRST?
Ronald West stood at the window of his wife's sitting-room, looking across the bright garden-borders to the wide park beyond, and wondering how on earth he should open the subject of which his mind had been full during their morning ride.
He had swung off his own horse a few moments before; thrown the bridle to a waiting groom, and made his way round to her stirrup. Then he had laid his hand upon Silverheels' mane, and looking up into his wife's glowing, handsome face, he had said: "May I come to your room for a talk, Helen? I have something very important to tell you."
Helen had smiled down upon him.
"I thought my cavalier was miles away from his horse and his wife, during most of the ride. But, if he proposes taking me on the same distant journey, he shall be forgiven. Also, I have something to tell you, Ronnie, and I see the turret clock gives us an hour before luncheon. I must scribble out a message for the village; then I will come to you at once, without stopping to change."
She laid her hand on his shoulder, and dropped lightly to the ground. Then, telling the groom to wait, she passed into the hall.