Would she look on his offer scornfully, now? Would she see, in what he asked of her, a bribe desired for the offer he had made in her brother's behalf? She did not love him. How could she, in a week? Never had there been even a hint of sentiment between them. What would she think--this young girl, so tranquilly confident in her friendship for him--what would she think of him and his love? He knew there was nothing mercenary or material in her character; he knew she was young, sweet tempered, reticent concerning herself, clean hearted, and proud. How could he come blundering through the boundaries of her friendship with such an avowal, at a moment's notice? He returned slowly to the boat and stood looking up at her; and he saw that she was smiling down at him in the starlight. "Why did you start off so abruptly and tramp up and down?" she asked. He looked up at her. "Shall we walk back, now?" he said. She extended her hands to him, and he swung her to the beach. For a moment he retained her hands; she looked at him, smiling, thrilling with all that he had said, meeting his eyes frankly and tenderly. "You are like some glorious magic prince to me," she said, "appearing among us here to win our hearts with a word." "Have I won yours with what I have said?" "Mine? Oh, don't you know it? Do you think--even if it doesn't come true--that I can ever forget what you have wished to do for Jim?" Still holding her hands, he lifted them, joined her fingers, and laid his lips to them. She bent her head and caught her breath in surprise. "I am going North to-morrow," he said. For a moment she did not comprehend his words. Then, a trifle dazed, she looked up at him. "To-morrow?" "Yes." "Are you coming back?" "Perhaps--next year." "_Next--year!_" "Do you--find it--a long time?" Her straight brows bent inward a little, the startled gray eyes became clear and steady. "Of course I knew that you must go--some time. But I had no idea that it would be so soon. Somehow, I have thought of you as being--here----" "Do you care?" Her honest eyes widened. "Care?" she repeated. "Yes. How greatly do you care?" The straight brows contracted still more as she stood considering him--so close that the fresh and subtle youth of her freshened the night again with its faint perfume. Again he touched her hands with his lips, she watching him palely, out of clear, gray eyes; then, as they turned away together, he encircled her slender waist with his arm. That she was conscious of it, and not disturbed by it, was part of her new mystery to him. Only once, as they walked, when his circling clasp tightened, did she rest her own hand over his where it held her body imprisoned. But she said nothing; nor had he spoken when the belt of pines loomed against the stars once more.