Paul turned. And then he saw Eve behind him.
Hollis had gone to the kitchen; he did not wish to see them meet.
“You did absurdly wrong to come, Eve,” said Paul, going to her. “What possible good was it? And if there had been real danger, you would have been in the way.”
“You are trembling; are you so frightened, then?” he went on, his voice growing softer.
“I am not frightened now.”
They went towards the lodge.
“It’s a desolate life you’ve arranged for me, Eve,” he said, going back to his subject, the Indians already forgotten. “I’m not to say anything to you; I’m to have nothing; and so we’re to go on apparently forever. What is it you are planning for? I am sure I don’t know. I know you care for me, and I don’t believe that you’ll find anything sweeter than the love I could give you,—if you would let me.”
“There is nothing sweeter,” Eve answered.
“Have you given up keeping me off?” He drew her towards him. She did not resist.
In her heart rose the cry, “For one day, for one hour, let me have it, have it all! Then—”