His visit to Hillcrest was connected with his little plan to test, in a fashion, this woman he had helped to form.
Her announcement about Drew had diverted his thought, but he returned now to his own interests. Again he wondered if, after all he had done for her, she could rise above Jude and St. Angé to a degree that might touch him—that part of him that he hoped he had conquered forever.
If she could—then—but he would not anticipate. Drew's advent had focussed his desire to put himself, and her, to the test. Joyce had precipitated matters, that was all.
"Joyce!"
She was bending to place a log upon the fire.
"None of that! When I'm at home, the big logs are for me."
She laughed brightly. To be so guarded and cared for never ceased to be exciting.
"And now for my surprise! It's a corker this time, Joyce."
Gaston walked to the lean-to room and brought out two boxes.
"Take them to your room, and put them on," he said.