"I don't mean I am worrying about Mr. de Spain at Medicine Bend," disclaimed Nan with a trace of embarrassment. "I know what you mean," smiled Bob Scott. She regarded him questioningly. He returned her gaze reassuringly as if he was confident of his ground. "Did your pony come along all right after you left the foot-hills this afternoon?" Nan opened her eyes. "How did you know I came through the foot-hills?" "I was over that way to-day." Something in the continuous smile enlightened her more than the word. "I noticed your pony went lame. You stopped to look at his foot." "You were behind me," exclaimed Nan. "I didn't see you," he countered prudently. She seemed to fathom something from the expression of his face. "You couldn't have known I was coming in," she said quickly. "No." He paused. Her eyes seemed to invite a further confidence. "But after you started it would be a pity if any harm came to you on the road." "You knew Uncle Duke was in town?" Scott nodded. "Do you know why I came?" "I made a guess at it. I don't think you need worry over anything." "Has Uncle Duke been talking?" "Your Uncle Duke doesn't talk much, you know. But he had to ask questions." "Did you follow me down from the hospital to-night?" "I was coming from my house after supper. I only kept close enough to you to be handy." "Oh, I understand. And you are very kind. I don't know what to do now." "Go back to the hospital for the night. I will send Henry de Spain up there just as soon as he comes to town." "Suppose Uncle Duke sees him first." "I'll see that he doesn't see him first." "Where is Uncle Duke to-night, do you know?" "Lefever says he is up-street somewhere." "That means Tenison's," said Nan. "You need not be afraid to speak plainly, as I must. Uncle Duke is very angry--I am deathly afraid of their meeting." Even de Spain himself, when he came back the next night, seemed hardly able to reassure her. Nan, who had stayed at the hospital, awaited him there, whither Scott had directed him, with her burden of anxiety still upon her. When she had told all her story, de Spain laughed at her fears. "I'll bring that man around, Nan, don't worry. Don't believe we shall ever fight. I may not be able to bring him around to-morrow, or next week, but I'll do it. It takes two to quarrel, you know." "But you don't know how unreasoning Uncle Duke is when he is angry," said Nan mournfully. "He won't listen to _any_body. He always would listen to me until now. Now, he says, I have gone back on him, and he doesn't care what happens. Think, Henry, where it would put me if either of you should kill the other. Henry, I've been thinking it all over for three days now. I see what must come. It will break both our hearts, I know, but they will be broken anyway. There is no way out, Henry--none." "Nan, what do you mean?" "You must give me up."