"That's a great tribute--from a brother," admitted Georgiana, smiling to herself. "But as far as our lodger is concerned, you need have no fear of any but the most businesslike relations, even though I worked beside him--as is quite improbable--for a year. He's not that sort." "Not what sort? Don't you fool yourself. He's human, if his mind is bent on writing a book. And you are--Georgiana!" "Jimps, there's a path in your brain that's getting worn too deep to-night. Come--let's hurry home. Jeannette will wonder what's become of me." "Let her wonder. George, are you going to do this thing?" "Of course I am." "No matter how I feel about it?" "Why, Jimps--really, do you think you have any right----" "Georgiana, I--love you!" "No, Jimps, you don't. Not so much as all that. You have a brotherly affection----" "Brotherly affection doesn't hurt; this does," was Stuart's declaration. "No, it doesn't, my dear boy. You're just made with a queer sort of jealous element in your composition, and when something happens to call it out you think it's--something quite different," explained Georgiana rather lamely. "You know perfectly that you and I fit best as good friends; we should be awfully unhappy tied up together in any way. Why, we settled that long ago, as I reminded you just now." "It seems to have come unsettled," Stuart muttered. "Then we must settle it again. Truly--you mean everything to me as a brother, friend, chum--whichever you like, and I--well, I should feel pretty badly to lose you. But----" "I wish you'd leave it there. I don't fancy what you're going on to say." "Then I'll not say it. Come, Jimps, give me your hand on the old compact." "I will--on exactly one condition." Stuart stood still and faced her in a certain secluded spot just where the snowy path was on the point of turning into a wider, well-used thoroughfare. "What is it? Make it a fair one." "It is fair--the fairest between a man and a woman. It's this: leave the 'never-never' clause out. I'll agree to any terms of friendship you insist on if--well, just leave me a chance, will you--dear?"