'Of course it is. You are of too trusting a nature; you should be more suspicious, then you wouldn't be tricked as you have been.'
'No. The trouble is I have been too sceptical, but that is past. I won't be again.'
'What are you talking about?' she said, looking quickly up at him. 'Don't you know you'll lose the mine if——'
'Hang the mine!' he cried, flinging his wrist free, and clasping her to him before she could step back or move from her place. 'There is something more important than mines or money.'
The parasol broke with a sharp snap, and the girl murmured 'Oh!' but the murmur was faint.
'Never mind the parasol,' he said, pulling it from between them and tossing it aside; 'I'll get you another.'
'Reckless man!' she gasped; 'you little know how much it cost, and I think, you know, I ought to have been consulted—in an—in an—affair of this kind—George.'
'There was no time. I acted upon your own advice—promptly. You are not angry, Jennie, my dear girl, are you?'
'I suppose I'm not, though I think I ought to be; especially as I know only too well that I held my heart in my hand the whole time, almost offering it to you. I hope you won't treat it as you have treated the sunshade.'
He kissed her for answer.