He turned, but did not look at her as he said: "May you live to fortune and a happy future." "You said you loved me," said Madeleine, her figure drooping. "Why did you deceive me?" "I loved you," he said hotly, moving back a step. "And I love you still. When I first saw you standing by the fire with the sun falling on your head I loved you. When I have left you I shall see, not the girl who desired to betray me, but her who gave me this to hold for my protection while I slept." He drew forth a long coil of golden-brown hair and held it in the wind. "You cut it off," she faltered. Then her manner changed again. "Throw it down. Stamp upon it. Tread it into the ground." "I use it," he said, "as I longed to use you." And he put the lock back into his bosom. At that she ran forward with the cry: "You love me. Take me there, Geoffrey. That is my place. I will not be held out. Geoffrey, I love you. Oh, blind, blind! I love you with all my heart and soul." She tried to force herself into his arms, warm, loving, and irresistible. "I am the wickedest of liars," she breathed, twisting her fingers within his. "I would not have gone so far, but I thought that you knew. I thought that you feigned to hate me in return for my cruelty. Ah, Geoffrey, I loved you when first our eyes met. I did so desire your love, but, sweetheart--foolish, credulous--I--I feared you might think I was won too easily. Will you value your prize the more, when I tell you that my treachery, the story of the soldiers, the settlement?--Oh, oh!" He guessed what she would have said, and so had seized her. "Betray you, blind love!" she whispered. "Dear foolish sweetheart, I would open my veins and give my blood for you. How I tortured you! Knowing what a cruel nature your love possesses, knowing it, can you still love her?" "Madeleine----" "Stop," she entreated, lifting her violet eyes. "Repeat that name a hundred times, and find for it a new attribute of love each time. But let the first be false and the second fair." "Sweet Madeleine!" "Call me so, Geoffrey," she murmured. "And I shall not wish to change." There was a hill beyond, its sides covered with bleached grass, and above a few gaunt pines beating their ragged heads together and stabbing one upon the other with jagged arms where limbs had been amputated by previous storms. To this place Madeleine led her lover. It was a strange day. Though long past sunrise there was barely light. The clouds swept low, grey or indigo masses rushing south with the speed of rapids. The dark, solid wind of the lowlands came in a furious succession of great waves. The lovers might have been upon an island with the ocean roaring round in storm. Out of the gloom the wet rocks glimmered and the trunks of long-fallen trees described weird shapes upon the plain. "This is life!" cried Madeleine. "Glorious life!" Geoffrey held her closely, looking down upon her wet and radiant face.