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Under his steady, half-smiling gaze, her eyes fell. Two weeks ago

she had been a splendid young creature, as untaught of life as

one of the wild forest animals and as unconsciously eager for it.

But there had come a change over her, a birth of womanhood from

that night when she had stood between Stephen Fraser and death.

No doubt she would often regret it, but she had begun to live

more deeply. She could never go back to the care-free days when

she could look all men in the face with candid, girlish eyes. The

time had come to her, as it must to all sensitive of life, when

she must drink of it, whether she would or no.

"Because I'd rather you would know it in your heart than in your

mind," he said.

Something sweet and terrifying, with the tingle and warmth of

rare wine in it, began to glow in her veins. Eyes shy, eager,

frightened, met his for an instant. Then she remembered the other

girl. Something hard as steel ran through her. She turned on her

heel and left the room.