“No, you do not!  If you did, doubtless I would respond; no doubt at all that I also would confess such sentiments in your regard.  But it isn’t true for either of us.  You’re a man.  All men are prone to harp on those strings....  But—­ there is no harmony in them to me....  I know my own mind, although you say I don’t—­ and—­ I do know yours, too.  And if a day ever comes that neither you nor I are longer able to think clearly and calmly with our minds, but begin to reason with our emotions, then I shall consider that we are really entering into a state of love—­ such as you sometimes have mentioned to me—­ and will honestly admit as much to you....  And if you then desire to wed me, no doubt that I shall desire it, too.  And I promise in that event to love you—­ oh, to death, Euan!” she said, pressing my hands convulsively.  “If ever I love—­ that way—­ it truly will be love!  Are you content with what I say?”

“I must be.”

“What an ungracious answer!  I could beat you soundly for it!  Euan, you sometimes vex me so that I could presently push you into that pool....  I do not mean it, dearest lad.  You know you already have my heart—­ perhaps only a child’s heart yet, though I have seen ages pass away....  And my eyes have known tears....  Perhaps for that reason I am come out into this new sunshine which you have made for me, to play as children play—­ having never done so in my youth.  Bear with me, Euan.  You would not want me if there were nothing in me to respond to you.  If there ever is, it will not remain silent.  But first I want my play-day in the sunshine you have promised me—­ the sunlight of a comrade’s kindness.  Be not too blunt with me.  You have my heart, I tell you.  Let it lie quiet and safe in your keeping, like some strange, frail chrysalis.  I myself know there is a miracle within it; but what that miracle may be, I may not guess till it reveals itself.”

“I am a fool,” I said.  “God never before sent any man such a comrade as He has sent in you to me.”

“That was said sweetly and loyally.  Thank you.  If hearts are to be awakened and won, I think it might be done that way—­ with such pleasant phrases—­ given always time.”

Presently she withdrew her hands and slipped away from me in the dark.

“Be careful,” said I, “or you will slip overboard.”

“I mean to presently.”

“Then—­ must I go so soon?”

She did not answer.  Once I thought I heard her moving softly, but the sound came from the wrong direction.

“Lois!”

No reply.

“Lois!” I repeated uneasily.

There was a ripple in the pool, silence, then somewhere in the darkness a faint splash.

“Good Lord!” said I.  “Have you fallen in?”

“Not fallen in.  But I am truly in, Euan.  I couldn’t endure it any longer; and you didn’t seem to want to go....  So please remain where you now are.”

“Do you mean to say——­” I began incredulously.