"They were; and it is always tiresome to be kept within bounds."
"I quite agree with you. The sentiment is extremely natural, only young ladies rarely confess it."
"Why?"
"Oh, you ought to know better than I do. You give me the idea of being a plucky woman."
"You must be quick in gathering ideas," said Katherine, dryly.
"Yes; some subjects inspire me," he returned, handing in his cup. "Another, please. I am a bit of a physiognomist. I think I could give a rough sketch of your character." He stirred the fire to a brighter blaze and added, "It is so deuced dark since that shower came on I can hardly see you, but I will tell you my ideas, if you care to hear them."
"Yes, I should," she returned, laughing. "It will be curious to hear the result of an instantaneous estimate. Why, five minutes ago you had never seen me."
"Five minutes? No; ten at least. Well, then, I should say you are a remarkably plucky girl, though perhaps not impervious to panic. And, let me see," fixing his keen, fierce eyes on hers, "gifted with no small power of enjoyment. With a strong dash of the rebel in you, and—well, I could tell you more, but I won't."
Katherine laughed good-humoredly.
"Have I hit it off?" he asked, after waiting for her to speak.