Often they had walked here together on the terrace, but it was usually
in the afternoon, when Hannaford could persuade her out of the Casino
for a few minutes, to "revive herself with a breath of fresh air," or to
see the gold-and-crimson sunset glory behind the Rock of Hercules. Since
Hannaford had won the money he wanted for the buying of his villa, he
had kept his resolution not to play seriously; but he spent a good deal
of time in the Casino, unobtrusively watching over Mary. He did not
feel the slightest desire to play, he told Carleton, and other men who
were amused or made curious by the sudden change in him. He had a "new
interest in life," he explained; and every one took it for granted that
he meant the villa, now his own. But he never said it was that which had
made life better worth living for him.
"If it's a question of bare endurance of me, I'll go," he answered
Mary's greeting, "and leave you to walk by yourself."
"No," she assured him. "I'd really like to have you. I thought I wanted
to be alone. But I see now that being with you is better."
Hannaford drew in a long breath of the exquisite air, and looked up into
the sunshine as if for once he did not feel himself unfitted for the
light. "Do you really mean that, I wonder?" he asked in a low voice.
"Yes. I wouldn't say it if I didn't," Mary answered with complete
frankness. "How do you happen to be here at this time of day?"
"To tell the truth, I saw you go down the steps, and followed to ask the
same question.
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