"This is our nearest way to the old house. It saves a good bit of road," he said, opening the gate with his key.
Judith followed him. She knew the path well and took it willingly. This really was the nearest way to the farm-house.
They were in the wilderness now, threading it by a path that made a sudden descent to the Black Lake.
"Richard! Richard!" Judith cried out, in nervous haste. "How fast you walk! It quite takes away my breath."
Storms slackened the rapid pace with which he was walking and threw his arms around her; then kissed her fiercely upon the lips, so fiercely that she was not aware that his hand pressed the paper hidden in her bosom, and she struggled away from him, for the kiss brought shuddering with it, as if an asp had stung her.
"Why, girl, I thought you loved me."
"I do—I do! Oh, how dearly!"
"But you do not know yet how I can love."
They were descending the path that led to the lake. Now the young man girded her waist with one arm and hurried her forward almost beyond her power of walking. When they reached the lake she was panting for breath.
"One minute—let me rest a minute," she pleaded, holding back from the bank, which they were walking dangerously near.