Something sang in the heart of Johnny Dice. The one being in the world who mattered had faith in him. The impulse to take her into his arms at this moment almost overcame him. He had seen Molly Kent under varied circumstances, but never so superb as now. She was all woman; mature where Johnny had believed her mere girl. The sight of her so aroused, so alive, thrilled him in a manner quite new.
Whatever had gone before was as nothing now. Life began here. Down through the years his memories of Molly Kent would date from this moment, so utterly did his spirit bend to worship her.
It had needed a moment as dramatic as this to awaken the boy to the enormity of his loss should he lose her.
And, although he was enraged, Jackson Kent’s eyes had been opened, too. He saw the abyss yawning at his
