Weeks later washouts on the desert demoralized all overland trains, and
Isabel waited impatiently for the belated "Limited." Then at seven in
the evening she heard Philip Barry's voice over the telephone. In an
hour he promised to be with her. During the morning she had wandered
about the garden, trying in vain to picture the meeting with the man
whom she had not seen for nearly a year. By afternoon she was in a fever
of suspense. Throughout the house she had arranged flowers, with her own
hands had cut great bunches of roses for the living-room. A few candles
were already lighted, while blazing logs made home-like cheer. Isabel
stood before the fire, waiting. She could not sit on a chair, with the
clock in the hall ticking away loud seconds. To-night she wore soft
white, with pearls. Her lover would be pleased to see her out of black.
She wished his first moment to be full of joy.
"Ma belle angele!" madame cried again and again. French ecstacy
continued until Isabel begged for no more compliments. She kissed the
old brown cheeks, then with sudden impulse fled above to her sleeping
boy. Reaction had come at the end of a long, long day. The felicitous
moment she had fancied was suddenly uncertain. Something she dared not
define frightened her. All at once Reginald's soft breathing seemed
reproachful.
"Dear little son," she whispered, "mother loves you none the less, and
he--will love you, too." She put her bare arm about the boy's warm body
and kissed his cheek. Tears came into her eyes. She hardly knew whether
she felt glad or sad. "Good night, little son; Father Barry is
coming--'Father Barry,' who loves us both." Something told her to hope;
and the clock in the hall was striking eight. All that had happened--all
which was yet to happen--seemed like a dream. She had waited so
anxiously, heard so often through the long day far-away trains whistling
through the valley. To-night she scarce believed her summons when it
came. But the maid had opened the outside door, and Isabel heard it
shut. A man's voice spoke her name; Philip Barry was below. At the
landing of the staircase she reached weakly for a card, dropped it, then
went slowly down.
Philip waiting in the bright, rich room saw her coming. He stood
unconscious of his lately changed appearance, his evening clothes. A
London tailor had assured him that he was now properly dressed for the
way of the world, and at last his "priest's garb" was forgotten. His
worshipful face, slightly thin, expressed only joy as he ran forward.
But something was wrong with Isabel. Something seemed to be lost from
the lover imploring at her side; and she shrank, holding him aloof for
judgment.
"What is it?" he cried. "Am I not welcome?" He scanned her face with
passionate longing. "Do you regret--regret letting me come?"
"No, no," she faltered. "Only wait! wait until I get used to you."
He took her at her word and moved away. Hunger tried his soul. But he
made a braver lover than he had been a priest.
"What did you expect?" he asked at last.
"Father Barry!" She was crying.
He gathered her close.
"Be patient," she begged. "The train was so late--so long, long
coming--and--and you see I must get used to your vest not being fastened
in the back."
He smiled pitifully. "Will you ever forget? Ever be able to go beyond
those mistaken years? Can you not go back to the time when we first knew
each other?"
"Yes, we will both go back. I will forget! I promise you. But tell me--"
she was dazzling in her excitement--"tell me if you are sure! Have you
never been sorry for what I made you do? You might have gone on, might
have overcome things which seemed beyond your power. It was because I
came that night in the midst of your trouble, when you were not strong
enough to drive me from you. If I had stayed away?" She put the
situation plainly, waiting for his answer as a soul on trial. She was
jealous now, even of a possible, passing regret. "If I had stayed away?"
she repeated.
"I should have left the priesthood," he told her simply. "I had found
out--knew certainly that I could not go on, even before I saw you. Your
coming to me when my mother went but gave me hope, brought rescue.
Before God I am now honest!"
She threw her arms about his neck. All that she had withheld was
waiting. Love blazed in her starry eyes, on her wonderful lips. Every
doubt had gone with Philip's last words. Everything seemed
clear--straightened out. Hours sped as moments. There was so much to
talk about, so much to explain away. Each one went back to the beginning
and to a time forbidden even in memory to an honorable wife, to a
priest. Intermediate existence was soon wiped out. Then Isabel thought
of her boy, now Philip's boy as well. They would bring the child up
jointly. She was glad, very glad. "And you will love him always?" she
implored. "He has not forgotten you; kisses your picture every day. You
shall help me with his education. I am so anxious not to make mistakes.
You know Reggie's warm, live temperament? You will advise me?"
"I was not wise about my own career, but I will do my best for the boy,"
Philip humbly promised.
Isabel saw for the first time how much he had suffered. He looked older,
haggard, despite his happiness. But his face had assumed grave
sweetness. The old assurance of a once popular priest was gone.
Dependence upon love would give him courage to begin over. The fullness
of Isabel's rich nature swept outward to his need. "We shall be happy, I
feel it, I feel it!" she whispered joyously.