y have you come back?" she cried, almost piteously.

"Surely you know why, Ella," said he.

"I know nothing: a man is one thing one day and quite the opposite the
next day. How can I know anything of what is in your mind to-day--in
your heart to-day?"

"I came back thinking to find her here still--I fancied that you said
she would stay until you were returning to-morrow."

"You came back for her?"

"I came back to see her--I find that I cannot live without seeing her."

"You have only found that out since you left here yesterday morning?"

"Only since I left here. I told you that I was not sure of myself. That
is why I went away."

"You went away to make sure of yourself, and now you return to make sure
of her?"

"Ah, if I could but think that! If I could only be as sure of her as I
am of myself. But what am I that I should dare to hope? Oh, she is above
all womankind--a crown of girlhood! What am I that I should ask to wear
this crown of girlhood?"

"You are a king of men, Bertie. Only for the king of men is such a
crown."

She laughed as she stood looking at him as she leaned against the half
open door of the window, one hand being on the framework above her head.

"Ella, you know her!" he cried, facing her. She began to swing gently
to the extent of an inch or two, still leaning on the edge of the hinged
window. She was looking at him through half-closed, curious eyes. "Ella,
you know her--she has always been your friend; tell me if I should
speak to her or if I should go back to the work that I have begun in New
Guinea."

"Would you be guided by me, Bertie?" she asked, suddenly ceasing her
movement with the window and going very close to him indeed--so close
that he could feel the gracious warmth of her face and bare neck and
shoulders. "Would you be guided by me, I wonder?"

"Have I not been guided by you up to the present, Ella?" said he.
"Should I be here to-night if it were not for your goodness? I laughed
some time ago--how long ago it seems!--when you told me--you said it was
your dearest wish--I did not then believe it possible----"

"And do you fancy that I believed it possible?" she asked, with some
sadness in her voice.

"Great Heavens! Ella, do you mean to tell me that you----Oh, no, it is
impossible! You knew me."

"I fancied that I knew you, Bertie. I fancied that I knew myself."

"Ella, Ella, for God's sake don't let us drift again. Have you no
recollection of that terrible time