seemed natural enough,
but in a sense of fairness to her he began to talk to her about what
their love might involve. Would she? Did she understand? This phase of
it puzzled and frightened Aileen a little at first. She stood before him
one afternoon in her black riding-habit and high silk riding-hat perched
jauntily on her red-gold hair; and striking her riding-skirt with her
short whip, pondering doubtfully as she listened. He had asked her
whether she knew what she was doing? Whither they were drifting? If
she loved him truly enough? The two horses were tethered in a thicket a
score of yards away from the main road and from the bank of a tumbling
stream, which they had approached. She was trying to discover if she
could see them. It was pretense. There was no interest in her glance.
She was thinking of him and the smartness of his habit, and the
exquisiteness of this moment. He had such a charming calico pony. The
leaves were just enough developed to make a diaphanous lacework of
green. It was like looking through a green-spangled arras to peer into
the woods beyond or behind. The gray stones were already faintly
messy where the water rippled and sparkled, and early birds were
calling--robins and blackbirds and wrens.

"Baby mine," he said, "do you understand all about this? Do you know
exactly what you're doing when you come with me this way?"

"I think I do."

She struck her boot and looked at the ground, and then up through the
trees at the blue sky.

"Look at me, honey."

"I don't want to."

"But look at me, sweet. I want to ask you something."

"Don't make me, Frank, please. I can't."

"Oh yes, you can look at me."

"No."

She backed away as he took her hands, but came forward again, easily
enough.

"Now look in my eyes."

"I can't."

"See here."

"I can't. Don't ask me. I'll answer you, but don't make me look at you."

His hand stole to her cheek and fondled it. He petted her shoulder, and
she leaned her head against him.

"Sweet, you're so beautiful," he said finally, "I can't give you up. I
know what I ought to do. You know, too, I suppose; but I can't. I must
have you. If this should end in exposure, it would be quite bad for you
and me. Do you understand?"

"Yes."

"I don't know your brothers very well; but from looking at them I judge
they're pretty determined people. They think a great deal of you."

"Indeed, they do." Her vanity prinked slightly at this.

"They would probably