this might account for much that puzzled her . Mollie , there &apos;s no sense in stalling when we both know our own minds . I &apos;ve had girls before but never the real thing until now . I &apos;ve been waiting for you darling . thank God I found you in time &amp;hellip; . again the premonition shook her . what did he mean ? I &apos;ve been waiting for you too , she said shyly . it &apos;s so simple really , is n&apos;t it ? either you were one of the lucky ones and met your fate , or you were n&apos;t - and did n&apos;t . the world was a different place because she and Nigel had met . she drew a steadying breath , realising how near they had come to missing each other . if he &apos;d gone to America they might never have met . somewhere across the world he would have roamed about seeking her - while she would have stayed home , doing the job nearest to her , but empty and unhappy . the thought brought the misty feeling back to her eyes . they were lucky . you feel as I do , so it could n&apos;t be better , he whispered . let &apos;s get out of here when I can do more than talk . Mollie followed him , bemused with happiness . she moved on a cloud , floating effortlessly out to the car . they got in without a word , and he drove on , careless of direction , intent only on getting her alone . now . he slammed on the brake , drew into a lay-by . darling girl &amp;hellip; . they were in a leafy lane , hedges high about them , the evening closing in slowly . it had not rained after all . she turned to him , her face showing her love and understanding . Nigel - I love you . I know . I feel it here . he touched his broad chest , before drawing her into his arms . she trembled at his touch , realising his complete domination over her will . she had read of such things happening to others , but this was her first experience and she was unafraid . his cheek rested against hers , he held her close , and for the moment was content . I love you . thank God I found you in time . she touched his face gently with her lips . it &apos;s wonderful . I did n&apos;t know it would be like this . I did - with the right girl . we must be married at once , Mollie . I can n&apos;t stand anything else . you must agree . could any promise made before this moment really count ? she subdued the rising uneasiness , wanting to promise Nigel anything he demanded . as if he read her thoughts he said : your guardians have n&apos;t a hope of holding you to a promise made before we met . I &apos;ll talk them round . they can n&apos;t withhold permission once we &apos;re determined . she laughed softly against his ear . it &apos;s remotely possible that they will n&apos;t be swept off their feet as I have been &amp;hellip; . you &apos;ll make a fight for it , will n&apos;t you ? the words were an intimate whisper , and seemed to carry them forward more than anything yet . yes . oh , I will . I will . I want us to belong from the first possible moment . so do I . she wondered at herself , but no other answer was possible . I &apos;m spineless - I &apos;d no idea it took one this way . perhaps it was n&apos;t always so . perhaps other men were not as fascinating as Nigel , with his Viking appeal . she studied him quietly , seeing the strength in his face , that backed his handsomeness . he began to kiss her mouth , deliberately trying to rouse her , experiencing the first thrill of her being as she responded . he was quick to follow this with a more intimate embrace . I &apos;m the first , he mused against her soft lips . the very first . I can tell - and I &apos;m glad . I wanted to be first - with the one woman . you &apos;ve never been kissed before . not this way . just cousins and things . things ? he pretended a brief jealousy . games - relatives - and things &amp;hellip; . not one of them kissed you so - and so - and so &amp;hellip; . no . she breathed lightly , because it seemed impossible to draw a long breath . oh , please , Nigel &amp;hellip; . his increasing passion was almost more than she could bear just then , yet she wanted to respond , to be to him what he obviously wanted her to be . in the confines of the little car it was difficult to cast off a feeling of apprehension . she grew tense , wishing she had more experience . when was it time to call a halt ? perhaps it was all new to him , also , so she must go carefully . her last wish was to hurt him , or to harm this wonderful feeling they shared . you - you are going too fast for me , Nigel . do n&apos;t you like me to hold you ? yes , but &amp;hellip; . you &apos;ll get used to it , adorable baby . I &apos;m glad you &apos;re not ready with all the answers . I always hoped for a girl like you . most of them drive a chap too far . she realised that in spite of his words , he did place a brake on himself in some way and she felt considerably relieved . he leaned away , considering her , his eyes teasing . she felt shy again , gauche and young . you &apos;ll have to make an honest man of me soon , darling . let &apos;s make plans . definitely before I go to America ! we both want that . I may not be able to travel with you . I can scarcely bear to leave you behind even for a few weeks . you &apos;re too impatient . let &apos;s just be engaged for a few months . it would be so pleasant knowing that he loved her and was waiting for her , and they would have time to make a proper start to their life together . no . that &apos;s not enough . you know it too , but I forgive you because you do n&apos;t realise what it means to me . we must be married , Mollie . well - will n&apos;t it be worse if we &apos;re married - and then I can n&apos;t get out to you for months ? there is all the business of the passport , and visa , you know what it &apos;s like . I could fly back every weekend . she laughed shakenly . you &apos;re in love . yes , I am in love ; be gentle with me , sweet Mollie . the appeal touched her heart . he drew her back into his embrace . she knew then that he was too big a man to conceal his feelings from her . his simplicity sprang from his strength of character , and was not weakness as she had first thought . you will come to see the family at the weekend . I &apos;ll make all necessary plans . they &apos;ll know I mean to marry you . they may feel that I &apos;m unsuitable . it does n&apos;t matter . it &apos;s what I want that counts now . I &apos;m not a boy . you must meet my guardians too , she whispered . if that &apos;s what you want me to do , but it does n&apos;t make any difference . I &apos;ll raise heaven and earth to get you . we &apos;ve time if I start moving tomorrow . we &apos;ll treat the trip to America as a honeymoon . I should have thought that in this scientific age you &apos;d be flying to America ? no . my chief is doing so , but I &apos;m taking out some special gear that we &apos;ll need over there . I must see to the loading and unloading , for some of the instruments are fantastically sensitive . whether we reach the moon or not depends entirely on my efforts - alone and unaided ! he laughed at her crestfallen expression . I love to tease you darling . actually I &apos;ll manage so much better with you along . I hope it &apos;s the right thing to do . could it be a stumbling block in your career later on ? our marriage ? no &amp;hellip; but you may rue the day you ever met me . she put both hands to his face . I &apos;ll never do that , Nigel . I &apos;ll always understand . men have jobs that take them out of a woman &apos;s sphere sometimes . I &apos;ll not be jealous of your work . at least I hope I will n&apos;t . they sat for an hour , bemused by their happiness , feeling that all things were possible . the tremendous difficulties ahead began to dissolve beneath their sanguine hopes . night was closing in when Nigel thrust both hands through his thick hair and sat erect . he pressed the self-starter grimly . we &apos;ll call it a day . I must see Terence tonight and tell him our news . I must also be in London before breakfast . do n&apos;t forget your promise to spend next weekend with me at home . she sat back , knowing that he was leading and she must follow . she felt depressed when she remembered the promise made to her guardians . would they understand that this feeling for Nigel was something she had not foreseen ? are you regretting anything ? Nigel said , as he drew up in front of the stone steps leading to the main hall of the college . wait - we did n&apos;t say goodbye . it was a stormy , protracted farewell , which bewildered her . nothing could possibly be as important as this . he opened the car door for her , following quickly on to the steps . I &apos;ll see you in , darling . it really is n&apos;t necessary &amp;hellip; . yet it was comforting to know herself protected . she went up the steps ahead of him . the door opened before they reached it . Terence stood looking down at them . his expression was cold , utterly unreadable . he was not in the least like Nigel then . he was wearing a navy double-breasted suit and looked formal and stiff to her . some of the stiffness was in his bearing , and she realised in surprise that he was angry - very angry . for an instant she hesitated . she felt that Nigel was momentarily startled too . they &apos;d both forgotten about Terence . so there you are . Terence spoke first , through set lips . I might have known you &apos;d be together . you could have given me a hint , Nigel . none of your business - was it ? Nigel said . Mollie glanced from one to the other in keen dismay . it was to Terence that she made her appeal . why was he so angry ? please , Terence &amp;hellip; . his cold smile did not reach his eyes . all right . she looked back at Nigel , seeing his mocking smile as if he appreciated Terence &apos;s temper . there was a tiny silence , which she did not try to break . now you &apos;re here you can give me a lift back , Nigel . Terence was trying to recover lost ground , but finding it difficult . Mollie was so unprepared for this open antagonism between the two men that she did not know how to cope . dismay held her silent and uncomfortable . had they quarrelled earlier in the day ? she thought Terence looked white and wondered why he was there , as if awaiting them . do n&apos;t be in such a hurry to push me off , Nigel drawled as if amused . it may interest you to know that Mollie and I are engaged - we &apos;ll make it official as from next weekend . we are to be married as soon after that as I can manage it - any objections , old man ? the silence was quite terrifying to Mollie as she looked up at Terence . what was wrong ? she had not known either of them long enough to guess at the source of the trouble , and she had certainly not been guilty of flirting with either of them . Terence made an effort to answer the challenge . he was a more slender man than Nigel , but still stood about six feet tall . he felt mechanically in his pocket for a cigarette , and they waited as he lighted it . congratulations , he said , puffing out a cloud of smoke . Nigel grinned and waved a hand in an airy salute , evidently knowing that he could not at that moment expect more from his brother . thank you . had Terence expected this would happen , and had tried to save his brother from committing himself ? Nigel had hinted that she was not the first girl in his life , and she realised with a fresh pang that he had seemed thoroughly experienced in the way he &apos;d tried to rouse her . are n&apos;t you going to kiss your future sister-in-law ? Nigel said . I &apos;ll claim that privilege on the wedding day . Terence turned away . Nigel stared hard at him , not too pleased , but for once bereft of words . 