"I know," Harding said gently. "I was sorry for you all. It must have been hard for your father, but one can see his point of view. You must forget about it, dear. I am starting for Winnipeg to-morrow, and may be there a week. You will have time to get used to things before I come back."
"You are very considerate, and even kinder than I thought."
He smiled into her eyes.
"I am going to leave you now, because I feel that I ought to. But you know I want to stay!"
He lifted the hand she gave him and kissed it tenderly. Then a swift flood surged through him.
"Beatrice!" he breathed. "Oh, Beatrice! You don't know what it means to me!"
The little fingers were nearly crushed in his strong grasp; but he released them quickly and turned away.
"Good-by, dear!" he said.
Beatrice let him go, but her look was strangely tender and her heart beat fast. He had shown a fine unselfishness, and a tact that was perhaps remarkable. She had no hesitation about him now.