She turned and flashed at him a look of mingled terror and defiance, and struck out her hands at him; then impetuously turning away and retreating to the other end of the grotto, she sat down on a rock and began to cry.
Moses came toward her, and kneeling, tried to take her hand. She raised her head angrily, and again repulsed him.
"Go!" she said. "What right had you to say that? What right had you even to think it?"
"Sally, you do love me. It cannot but be. You are a woman; you could not have been with me as we have and not feel more than friendship."
"Oh, you men!—your conceit passes understanding," said Sally. "You think we are born to be your bond slaves,—but for once you are mistaken, sir. I don't love you; and what's more, you don't love me,—you know you don't; you know that you love somebody else. You love Mara,—you know you do; there's no truth in you," she said, rising indignantly.
Moses felt himself color. There was an embarrassed pause, and then he answered,—
"Sally, why should I love Mara? Her heart is all given to another,—you yourself know it."
"I don't know it either," said Sally; "I know it isn't so."
"But you gave me to understand so."
"Well, sir, you put prying questions about what you ought to have asked her, and so what was I to do? Besides, I did want to show you how much better Mara could do than to take you; besides, I didn't know till lately. I never thought she could care much for any man more than I could."