There were people passing, but foot by foot in her maddening elusiveness Desirée had drawn from the trail till she was hidden behind the outer cabin door which swung half open. Dunvegan, his shoulders wedged in the opening, tried to read her face.
"In a few days I'll be gone to build Kamattawa," he went on. "Give me some hope before I go. Don't send me away without a shred of encouragement, Desirée."
Wide-eyed she gazed at him. She was flushed, her manner all uncertain. Her breath came quickly. Abruptly she flung out her arms in a swift gesture of pity.
"Bruce," she cried, "it might be some time—if—if things were different."
"How?"
"If you didn't hold so strongly to the Hudson's Bay Company."
Dunvegan stepped back, his lips closed grimly.
"Would you—ever break your allegiance?" Desirée faltered.
"Never while my blood runs!"
"Oh, your proud spirit!" she lamented. "And mine as proud! It's no use, Bruce. It's no use."