"I might—on the dictionary. There, I won't talk about such things any more," and she resolutely changed the subject.
But she couldn't swear, even on the dictionary. She didn't know where she stood or how it would all end; but with increasing frequency the words, "I love you now," haunted her waking and dreaming hours.
The holidays were near again, and then came a letter from Marstern, asking her to take another sleigh-ride with him on Christmas Eve. His concluding words were: "There is no other woman in the world that I want on the other side of me." She kissed these words, then looked around in a startled, shamefaced manner, blushing even in the solitude of her room.
Christmas Eve came, but with it a wild storm of wind and sleet. She was surprised at the depth of her disappointment. Would he even come to call through such a tempest?
He did come, and come early; and she said demurely: "I did not expect you on such a night as this."
He looked at her for a moment, half humorously, half seriously, and her eyes drooped before his. "You will know better what to expect next time," was his comment.
"When is next time?"
"Any and every time which gives me a chance to see you. Who should know that better than you?"
"Are you never going to give up?" she asked with averted face.
"Not till you become engaged."