"N-no! He says you're on Gordon's side now. He blames me, or did, until he generously took it on himself."
"What does it all mean? I'm nearly distracted." Natalie's eyes were pleading. "Did you think I spied on you?"
Dan glowed with embarrassment and something more. "I didn't know what to think," he said. "I was wretchedly miserable, for I was afraid. And yet I knew you couldn't do such a thing. I told O'Neil I wasn't responsible for what I did or said when with you."
"Mr. Gordon sent me to Omar purposely. He sent me twice. It was I who brought him word that the road was saved. I told all I'd learned because I believed he no longer hated Mr. O'Neil. I was happy to tell all I knew, for he deceived me as he deceives every one. I learned the truth too late."
"Why do you stay here?" Dan demanded, hotly.
"Why? I—don't know. Perhaps because I'm afraid to leave. I'm alone—you see mother believes in him: she's completely under his sway, and I can't tell her the sort of man he is. She's happy, and her happiness is worth more to me than my own. But—I SHALL go away. I can't stand it here much longer."
"Where will you go?"
"Back to my old home, perhaps. Somewhere—anywhere away from Alaska."
"I suppose you know I can't get along without you."
"Please don't! You have been very good and sweet to me, but—" She shook her dark head. "You couldn't marry me—even if I cared for you in that way."