Her heart quivered at the deliberate purpose with which he spoke. She walked on, saying no word.
They were nearing the gates, and the glare from the two great lamps shone towards them, lighting the way. She braced herself, and made a resolute attempt to free her arm from his hold.
"Easy! Easy!" said Jake. "We haven't got there yet. It's dark beyond those lights."
She abandoned her effort, feeling that she had no choice. They walked on together silently.
They reached and passed through the gates. The road stretched before them steep and winding.
"We'll cut across the fields," said Jake.
He led her to a stile almost concealed in the hedge, and here his hold upon her relaxed. He vaulted the rail, and waited for her.
He did not offer to assist her though the step was high. She mounted in nervous haste to avoid his touch.
But for the darkness she would have found no difficulty in springing down, but as it was she misjudged the distance, slipped, and fell. She threw out her hands with a cry, and the next moment she was caught in Jake's arms. He held her fast, so fast that for a few palpitating seconds she felt the hard beating of his heart against her own. Then, in response to her desperate efforts for freedom, he let her go, without excuse, without apology, in a deep-breathing silence that somehow appalled her. They walked side by side along the field-path, saying no word.
There was a gate at the further end that led into the training-field below the little orchard. As they reached this, Jake paused very deliberately and spoke.