Chapter 26

"As for my name," I said, "you know that is not the name I bear; yet, knowing that, you have given me your love. You read my dossier in Paris; you know _why_ I am alone, without kin, without a family, without a home. Yet you believe that I am not tainted with dishonor. And I am not. Listen, this is what happened; this is why I gave up all; and ... this is my name!" ...

And I bent my head and whispered the truth for the first time in my life to any living creature.

When I had ended I stood still, waiting, head still bowed beside hers.

She laid her hand on my hot face and slowly drew it close beside hers.

"What shall I promise you?" she whispered.

"Yourself, Eline."

"Take me.... Is that all?"

"Your love."

She turned in my arms and clasped her hands behind my head, pressing her mouth to mine.