"Yes," she said, with polite interest. "When do you go?"
"To-day—at once," he said. "Can you be ready in time for us to catch the afternoon mail?"
She turned her head and looked at him. The sun had come out, and shone through the muslin curtains upon her pretty face and soft brown hair.
"I!" she said, surprised and startled. "I! Do you want me to go?"
"Yes," he said.
He stood, his eyes fixed on hers, his brows knit in suspense and anxiety.
"Why?" she asked.
He came a little nearer, but did not stretch out his hands, though he longed to do so.
"Because—I want you," he replied.
She looked at him, and something in his eyes, something new, strange, and perplexing, made her heart beat fast, and caused the blood to rush to her face.