o him, he was full of awe.

"You're so beautiful!" he groaned, "so beautiful it hurts me!"

"Hush!" she said, "you mustn't talk like that."

"Is it wrong?"

"Yes--no! I don't know. I can't bear it!"

"You can do what you like with me."

"You don't mean that really."

"I do. I have longed to be able to give myself up wholly."

"Then be my brother, my dear brother."

Evan frowned. "You mean----?"

"Be my brother," she repeated. "I need your help."

"But--but how can I?" said Evan. "I am only a man."

"The other thing only frightens me," she said quickly. "I like
you--but I cannot return that. This is not just the feeling of a
moment. It will never change. I know myself. But be my friend. Take
what I can give you. Do not force me to be on my guard. I wish to let
myself go with you."

"That is what I wish," he said quickly. Poor Evan felt hollow inside:
hollow and a little dazed. The cloud-piercing tower of his happiness
had collapsed. A sure instinct told him that what she proposed was
impossible, and what was more, absurd. But he clutched at straws. The
idea of giving her up altogether was unthinkable. Moreover he was
incapable of resisting her at that moment. It was easy enough to
silence that inner voice. He said nothing, but merely raised her hand
to his lips.

"Swear it," she murmured.

"You dictate the oath."

"Swear that you will be my friend, and nothing but my friend."

"I swear it."

Suddenly leaning forward she kissed his cheek as a sister might have
done--but the spot glowed long afterwards. Then she jumped up.

"You must go now."

"Not quite yet," he pleaded, "Corinna."

"Oh!" she rebuked him.

"But you're my sister now."

"Very well, you may call me Corinna, but you must go. What will the
landlady say?"

"But you said you needed my help. How can I rest not knowing----"

"But that's too long a story to begin now. There's no immediate danger
threatening me. There will be other nights."

"How can I wait twenty-four hours?"

"How would you like to get up early and go walking in the country
before the day's work?"

"I'd like it above all things."

"Then call for me at eight. We'll have breakfast at the French pastry
shop. My first lesson's at eleven."

"Great!"

"Now go."

"Say good-night, Evan."

"I will when I am more accustomed to you."

"But try it just for an experiment."

"Well--good-night, Evan."

His name was so sweet on her to