"Why—did—you—do it?"
"I had a mad fancy to see just how great your—beauty was."
"And—you see?"
"Heavens! I do see."
"And you think?"
"What any man would think," Gaston's excitement was rising, "who had been starved for—years—and then finds all he's hungered for—alone in the North Woods. Think?"
The breaking of a flaming log startled them, and it steadied Gaston for a moment. Joyce had herself well in hand. The victory was hers if only she could command this new power long enough.
"Please," she pleaded, "please sit down. I have something to say to you."