"Oh, no, I _don’t_ mean that! That is the terrible part of it! He would give me my freedom. But I don’t want it—that way—not on the—not on such terms——" They walked slowly toward the house together, she leaning on him as though very tired. Ahead of them a few fireflies sparkled. The rushing roar of the river was in their ears all the way to the house. Helen had retired, leaving a note for them on the library table: Forgive me, but I’ve yawned my head off—not because you two lunatics are out star-gazing, but because I’m in my right mind and healthily fatigued. Put the cat out before you lock up! H. Stephanie laughed, and they hunted up the cat, discovered her asleep in the best room, and bore her out to the veranda. Then Cleland locked up while Stephanie waited for him. Her tears had dried. She was a trifle pale and languid in her movements, but so lovely that Cleland, already hopelessly in love with her, fell deeper as he looked at her in this pale and unfamiliar phase. Her grey eyes returned his adoration sweetly, pensively humourous: "I’m in rags, emotionally," she said. "This loving a young man is a disturbing business to a girl who’s just learned how.... Are you coming upstairs?" "I suppose so." "You’ll sleep, of course?" "Probably not a wink, Steve." "I wonder if I shall." They ascended the old staircase together in silence. At her door she held out her hand; he kissed it, released the fingers, but they closed around his and she drew him to her. "What _shall_ I do?" she said. "Tell me?" "I don’t know, dearest. There seems to be nothing you can do for us." She bent her head thoughtfully. "Anything that dishonours me would dishonour you and dad, wouldn’t it, Jim?" "Yes." She nodded. "You understand, don’t you? I count myself as nothing. Only you count, Jim. But I can’t marry you. And I can’t go to you otherwise without betraying both dad and you. It isn’t a question of my being married and of loving you enough to disregard it. I do. But you and dad require more than that of the girl you made one of your own race. I am loyal to what you both expect of me.... Good night, dear.... There doesn’t seem to be any way I can make you happy. The only way I can show my love and gratitude to dad and you is to retain your respect ... by being unkind—Jim—my dearest—dearest——" She closed her eyes and gave him her lips, slipped swiftly out of his arms and into her room. "Oh, I’m desperately in love," she said, shaking her head at him as she slowly closed the door. "I’m going to get very, very little sleep, I fear.... Jim?" "Yes." "You know," she said, "Helen is a charming, clever, talented, beautiful girl. If you are afraid my behaviour is going to make you unhappy——" "Steve, are you crazy?" "Couldn’t you fall in love with her?" "Do you want me to try?" There was a silence, then Stephanie shook her head and gently closed her door. *CHAPTER XXXI*