"'So I believe. I haven't seen him yet; you know I've been away myself.'
"'Will you take me to him?'
"'Have you really weighed this thing?' I remonstrated. 'Do you realize what it means?'
"'Please don't.' She smiled wearily. 'So many people have tried to argue me out of my desires. I shall not spoil my life, believe me; it is too good a thing to ruin. That is precisely why I'm here.'
"'If you insist.' I gave in reluctantly. 'Of course I'll put myself at your service. We'll look for him to-morrow.' All sorts of wild expedients to thwart a meeting were scurrying through my mind.
"'We'll go to-day,' said she.
"'But—'
"'At once! If you're too busy I'll ask somebody else—'
"'Very well!' said I. 'We'll drive out to the encampment.' And I sent for my buckboard.
"I was delayed in spite of myself until nearly sundown, and meanwhile Alicia Harman waited in my office, pacing the floor with ill-concealed impatience. Before starting I ventured one more remonstrance, for I was filled with misgivings, and the more I saw of this girl the more fantastic and unnatural this affair seemed. But the unbridled impulses of her parents were bearing fruit, and no one could say her nay. She afforded the most illuminating study in heredity that I have ever witnessed.