He did not fail to notice a queer change in Angela--a relapse into moody silence, so different from the cheerfulness which she had exhibited in the immediate past--but ascribed it to the fact that she was still pining for civilization and the old life. And he meant that she should have this, despite her resolution to accept nothing from him. Once they touched Dawson, he meant to get her aboard a boat--by physical force if necessary--and face the miseries of life without her. For this purpose he kept intact the wad of notes necessary for her passage, and sought Devinne with a view to raising money on an article of great sentimental, and moderate intrinsic, value--the cigarette-case given him by his old chums at Medicine Bow. Devinne was amazed when the proposition was put to him. He had no idea that his guest was reduced to such plights. "I'll loan you the food with pleasure," he said. "There's no need to part with something you evidently love." Jim shook his head. "What's it worth?" "Difficult to say--at least a thousand dollars." "Wal, see here, you loan me five hundred on it with the option of redeeming it within a year. I'll sure strike gold by then." Devinne nodded. "Very well, if you insist. I'll be here until next spring. It'll be waiting for you any time you drop in." Jim pocketed the notes and commenced to bargain for several necessaries apart from the anxiously awaited food. In the meantime Natalie was preparing for attack. She garbed herself in her most seductive dress, and assailed Jim as he was leaving Devinne, and commenced to inveigle him into accompanying her on a walk. "I was just going to look over some gear in the stores," he explained. "Oh, but zat can vait. Zee day is so magnifique. Mees Angela, you say to him hee es to come." Angela, who had just entered the passage, turned crimson. "My brother usually pleases himself," she said, and walked away. A few minutes' artful pleading, and Jim was beaten. It seemed outrageous to refuse her so small a--pleasure. He got his hat and stalked along beside her. Angela watched them disappear towards the river. She felt furious with Jim--furious because he could not see that this brazen-faced woman was making love to him all the time. The studied voluptuous movements, the bright lift of the eyes, the mad rush to secure for him anything she thought he might need--how could any man but a fool misinterpret these actions? And Jim looked so innocent--too innocent, she thought. At any rate, he had gone with her on that walk, and anything might happen--Natalie wouldn't care. She went out of the house, feeling very wroth and very dejected. Devinne met her outside the store and smiled in his quiet, pleasant fashion. "Where's Jim?" he asked. "I--I think he has gone for a walk with Natalie." He raised his eyebrows and then laughed.