“You darling old schoolboy!” she laughed. “Even your daydreams are studded with dollar signs. What do you suppose I care for such things? I have _you_, and we’re to be together always and always. What else could I want? And, dear,” more gravely, “I’d rather we stayed just as we are and not try for more wealth or more power. I seem to see such things in a new way to-night. Every dollar you win, every forward step in fame or fortune that you take, may mean unhappiness for someone who is less lucky. And, we are so happy, heart of mine, that we can surely let others be happy, too. Can’t we? Let us be content where we stand. You are so rich already that everyone envies you. Don’t let’s turn that envy into hatred by wringing more from people who already have less than we. It will make me so much comfortabler to feel we are using our wealth for happiness. Both for our own and for other peoples’. Am I talking like a goody-goody Sunday School teacher? I don’t mean to. But I know my way is best.” “It’s always best,” he agreed after a moment. “An’ even if it wasn’t, it’s _your_ way; and so it goes. We’ll do whatever you say. It’ll seem queer to stop fightin’. But,--it’ll seem nice, too. I never thought I’d feel that way. But I do now. An’ I always shall, while you’re by me. You can do anything you want to with me. You always could, an’ you always can.” “Your arms are so big--so strong,” murmured Desirée. “I seem to be in a fortress where no ill can ever get to me. I’m _home_!” He wrapped the coat more closely about her and held her tenderly as a mother, reverently as a priest might bear the Host. And after a time, as she lay against his broad breast, the long curling fringe of her eyelashes began to waver. Sleepily she lifted her face. “Kiss me goodnight,” she said, her voice slow with drowsiness. The fire died down and the ring of heat-ramparts it had reared against the autumn cold crumbled away. The sleeping girl rested cozily warm in Conover’s arms. The man, his back against the tree, sat motionless; fearing by the slightest move to disturb her sleep. He dared not rise to replenish the smouldering fire. He was coatless, and the growing cold gnawed with increasing keenness through the thin négligée shirt, into his arms and shoulders. It was the coldest night he had known since his arrival at the Adirondacks.