walked all the way around the half circle, then turned and came back, still marveling. He returned to his starting point.
There he saw a woman.
He recognized her.
She smiled.
His heart stood still.
Aliena shaded her eyes. The sunlight coming through the windows at the east end of the church dazzled her. Like a vision, a figure walked toward her out of the blaze of colored sunshine. He looked as if his hair was on fire. He came closer. It was Jack.
Aliena felt faint.
He came to her and stood in front of her. He was thin, terribly thin, but his eyes shone with an intensity of emotion. They stared at one another in silence for a moment.
When he spoke, his voice was hoarse. "Is it really you?"
"Yes," she said. Her voice came out in a whisper. "Yes, Jack. It's really me."
The tension was too much, and she began to cry. He put his arms around her and hugged her, with the baby in her arms between them, and patted her back, saying "There, there," as if she were a child. She leaned against him, breathing his familiar dusty smell, hearing his dear voice as he soothed her, letting her tears fall on his bony shoulder.
Eventually he looked at her face and said: "What are you doing here?"
"Looking for you," she said.
"Looking for me?" he said incredulously. "Then... how did you find me?"
She wiped her eyes and sniffed. "I followed you."
"How?"
"I asked people if they had seen you. Masons, mostly, but some monks and lodging-house keepers."
His eyes widened. "You mean-you've been to Spain?"
She nodded. "Compostela, then Salamanca, then Toledo."
"How long have you been traveling?"
"Three fourths of a year."
"But why?"
"Because I love you."
He seemed overwhelmed. His eyes filled with tears. He whispered: "I love you, too."
"Do you? Do you, still?"
"Oh, yes."
She could tell he meant it. She tilted her face up. He leaned forward, over the baby, and kissed her softly. The touch of his mouth on hers made her feel dizzy.
The baby cried.
She broke the kiss and rocked him a little, and he quieted.
Jack said: "What's the baby called?"
"I haven't named him yet."
"Why not? He must be a year old!"
"I wanted to consult you."
"Me?" Jack frowned. "What about Alfred? It's up to the father..." He tailed off. "Why... is he... is he mine?"
"Look at him," she said.
Jack looked. "Red hair... It must be a year and three quarters since..."
Aliena nodded.
"Good God," Jack said. He seemed awestruck. "My son." He swallowed hard.
She watched his face anxiously as he tried to take in the news. Would he see this as the termination of his youth and freedom? His expression became solemn. Normally a man had nine months to get used to the idea of being a father. Jack had to do it all at once. He looked again at the baby, and at last he smiled. "Our son," he said. "I'm so glad."
Aliena sighed happily. Everything was all right at last.
Another thought struck Jack. "What about Alfred? Does he know...?"
"Of course. He only had to look at the child. Besides..." She felt embarrassed. "Besides, your mother cursed the marriage, and Alfred was never able to, you know, do anything."
Jack laughed harshly. "There's true justice," he said.
Aliena did not like the relish with which he said it. "It was very hard for me," she said, in a tone of mild reproof.
His face changed quickly. "I'm sorry," he said. "What did Alfred do?"
"When he saw the baby, he threw me out."
Jack looked angry. "Did he hurt you?"
"No."
"He's a pig, all the same."
"I'm glad he threw us out. It was because of that that I came looking for you. And now I've found you. I'm so happy I don't know what to do."
"You were very brave," Jack said. "I still can't take it in. You followed me all that way!"
"I'd do it all again," she said fervently.
He kissed her again. A voice said in French: "If you insist on behaving lewdly in church, please remain in the nave."
It was a young monk. Jack said: "I'm sorry, Father." He took Aliena's arm. They went down the steps and across the south transept. Jack said: "I was a monk for a while-I know how hard it is for them to look at happy lovers kissing."
Happy lovers, Aliena thought. That's what we are.
They walked the length of the church and stepped out into the busy market square. Aliena could hardly believe that she was standing in the sunshine with Jack by her side. It was almost too much happiness to bear.
"Well," he