"Because there is a glamour about a beautiful girl," he said gravely. "One has to step into the halo to see her, to know her. Are you contented to look at a flower from a distance? That's an old comparison, isn't it? But there is something like a fragrance about you, Nelly Lebrun. Don't be afraid. No one can hear; no one shall ever dream I've said such bold things to you. In the meantime, we have a truth party. There is a fragrance, I say. It must be breathed. There is a glow which must touch one. As it touches me now, you see?" Indeed, there was a faint color in his cheeks. And the girl flushed more deeply; her eyes were still bright, but they no longer sharpened to such a penetrating point. She was believing at least a little part of what he said, and her disbelief only heightened her joy in what was real in this strangest of lovemakings. "I shall stay here to learn one thing," she said. "What deviltry is behind all this talk, Mr. Donnegan?" "Is that fair to me? Besides, I only follow a beaten trail in The Corner." "And that?" "Toward Nelly Lebrun." "A beaten trail? You?" she cried, with just a touch of anger. "I'm not a child, Mr. Donnegan!" "You are not; and that's why I am frank." "You have done all these things--following this trail you speak of?" "Remember," said Donnegan soberly. "What have I done?" "Shot down two men; played like an actor on a stage a couple of times at least, if I must be blunt; hunted danger like--like a reckless madman; dared all The Corner to cross you; flaunted the red rag in the face of the bull. Those are a few things you have done, sir! And all on one trail? That trail you spoke of?" "Nelly Lebrun--" "I'm listening; and do you know I'm persuading myself to believe you?" "It's because you feel the truth before I speak it. Truth speaks for itself, you know." "I have closed my eyes--you see? I have stepped into a masquerade. Now you can talk." "Masquerades are exciting," murmured Donnegan. "And they are sometimes beautiful." "But this sober truth of mine--" "Well?" "I came here unknown--and I saw you, Nelly Lebrun." He paused; she was looking a little past him. "I came in rags; no friends; no following. And I saw that I should have to make you notice me." "And why? No, I shouldn't have asked that." "You shouldn't ask that," agreed Donnegan. "But I saw you the queen of The Corner, worshiped by all men. What could I do? I am not rich. I am not big. You see?" He drew her attention to his smallness with a flush which never failed to touch the face of Donnegan when he thought of his size; and he seemed to swell and grow greater in the very instant she glanced at him. "What could I do? One thing; fight. I have fought. I fought to get the eye of The Corner, but most of all to attract your attention. I came closer to you. I saw that one man blocked the way--mostly. I decided to brush him aside. How?"