“Ought!” said the girl, and for her life she could not quite keep the bitterness out of her voice. “I know when you put that horrid word in that there is an end to all persuasion. I suppose you know Peg is home,” she added, her eyes holding his as she waited for what she expected and dreaded to see in them. Her expectation and her dread were not disappointed, for quickly though Paul turned his head he was not quick enough to hide the leap of light into his eyes, nor with all his steadiness of control could he prevent the swift grip of his fingers in her horse’s mane. She sat back straight in her saddle. “Peg? Home? I thought she—I thought they were still in England,” he said in a low tone. “You will hardly pass through the valley without seeing her, Paul,” said Adelina, smiling down at him uncertainly. “No, I would not do that. I must see them.” “And your business? Your pressing business?” said Adelina, still smiling. “My business?” said Paul gravely. “The Pelhams are our oldest friends.” “And dearest?” “And dearest, Adelina,” he said, regarding her with grave, kind eyes. Then after a slight hesitation, “Is her—is the young man with her?” Adelina’s face was full of pity. “Yes, Paul, he is here.” “I want to see him too,” he said. “I’m afraid—Paul—you are too late,” she said, once more leaning down toward him, with a rush of warm emotion in her eyes. He was too simply honest to pretend ignorance of her meaning. To his immense surprise her words came like a heavy blow to him. He held himself rigidly quiet for a moment or two. “Too late!” he muttered, looking far across the valley. “I don’t know. I’m not sure—of myself. I wish I were sure. I don’t know. But,” here he straightened his shoulders, “I will know today. She was such a child, Peggy!” Adelina sat very still on her horse, regarding him intently. “Good-bye, Paul,” she said abruptly, her voice low and a little unsteady. “And the best of luck.” Her voice recalled his eyes from the far hills. “What? Oh, thank you, Adelina,” he said, taking her outstretched hand in both of his. “You are a good fellow.” “So are you, old chap,” she said, pulling her hand away. “And now I shall take charge of Mr. Dalton, if he will have me.” “Gratefully, humbly, eternally, now and forever more, amen,” fervently said Dalton, coming back to them. “Sounds satisfactory, doesn’t he, eh, Paul?” “You will find him entirely so,” said Paul, with emphasis. “But be careful of him. Don’t put him over the jumps too soon.” “I’ll take care of him,” said Adelina with a grin. “He looks fragile.” “I am,” said Dalton. “I feel myself going all to pieces.” “I wouldn’t if I were you,” said Adelina, with a saucy toss of her head. From the front door Paul watched them ride down the drive, Dalton mounted on Paul’s cow broncho.