They were standing on a balcony outside the hotel. In the distance the golden sun slanted across the old forest trees. It was only five o'clock, but there seemed already that preliminary hush before evening, when the active birds retire, wearied, to their beds, in the thick leafy trees, and the butterflies and bees creep to their respective lairs, giving place to the countless midges and mosquitos which haunt the evening air. "I always turn to Cousin Thorold when I'm in trouble," Gentian said in a quiet dignified tone. The pink colour was coming into her cheeks. Godwin pressed closer to her, and took possession of her hands. "I don't want you to turn to any one except me when I am by your side," he said in a low passionate tone. "Gentian, tell me you care for me a little. I can't expect you to love ice as I love you. There's nothing in me to attract you, I daresay. You're an enchanting, adorable angel. But I've an honest heart to offer you. And your happiness will be always my first thought." "Oh, please stop—" Gentian's voice was troubled now. "I like you very much as a friend, but nothing more. No, you could never be anything more. You're too young. I feel I know as much as you do. I've lived as long as you have, you know. We're just about the same age, aren't we? We won't talk any more about it. And if you only knew the real me, you'd find me a restless, discontented, selfish creature. And Waddy says I'm hopeless about housekeeping. I burnt a cake yesterday which she had made. I shouldn't be an enchanting wife. Anybody who married me would be bitterly, bitterly disappointed in me. Don't look so miserable." Poor Godwin tried to smile. The softness of Gentian's voice, the kindness in her eyes, and the pretty little shake of her head as she mentioned her disabilities as a wife, only aggravated his disappointment. She had hurt him in his tenderest part, when she had alluded to his youth. But he choked back his feelings and tried to speak manfully. In his effort, he adopted rather a truculent tone. "As far as my youth goes, that will mend itself. I will wait. I will come back from my next voyage, and then you may listen to me more patiently. A man who has seen the world as I have, and who has seen women and beautiful women, too, of all nationalities, is not to be easily moved, when once he has made his choice. You won't prevent my continuing to love you. And sometimes pertinacity conquers! Oh, blow them! Why can't they keep away!" This last spluttering ejaculation was made as Thorold and Miss Ward appeared. And then Gentian added insult to injury by laughing outright. She checked herself at once and turned to Miss Ward. "Is tea ready? We've been admiring the view—at least, I have. How many trees do you think are in the Forest? A million?" She was the one who talked now. Through tea her tongue never faltered. Thorold laughed and teased her as was his wont; Godwin was the only one who sat silent.