"It's just like this," Frederick explained reluctantly. "My mother needs—money. She's got to have it. She's already borrowed a lot of Waldstricker and ... even our lake place is mortgaged to him. His sister loves me—"
The speaker felt the slender body recoil as from a blow.
"Tess!" he cried, "I don't love her. Oh, can't I get you to understand anything? If you tremble that way, you'll drive me mad. I'm only going to marry her.... Well, to pay the money, that's all."
He cut and clipped the words as though he hated them, yet finished his explanation determinedly. As keenly as a darting flame, it burned into Tessibel's soul.
"Tell me ... more," she breathed dizzily.
"It'll only mean you and I will be apart for a little while, Tess," stated Frederick. "When I get back home, I'm coming straight to you, and—"
"She air lovin' ye, ye said?" interrupted Tess, huskily.
"But I don't love her, Tess!... I love only you!... You know that, sweetheart!... You hear me, darling?"
"Yep, I hear," whispered the girl.
Frederick settled back against the rocks, drawing her into his arms.