in
a cowardly way. He had carefully masked his treachery even to his own
eyes, and yet it was treachery that was in his bones. Of course, he must
assure her that they would meet again: they were not necessarily parting
for ever; but even as these thoughts worked in his mind he was not
conscious of any anxiety at the prospect of a lasting separation. Jim did
not realize to what extent the passion for Aurora had fastened upon his
blood; he still liked her, there remained a decided tenderness, and he
hated the idea of hurting her or causing her grief. This was the better
part of his liking for the girl, but the vehement selfishness seemed to
have gone from his love, and without a fierce note of selfishness love
becomes as pale as friendship. She had been a wonder, a revelation, a
great glory; she had become merely an attractive, handsome girl, rather
exuberant in her affection. If Done were our villain we could show him
unmanly, ignoble, and vile for all this, but not one voluntary impulse
went to the making of his present attitude; it was a development entirely
foreign to his will, and that much at least must be remembered in the
defence of our hero.

Mike put off their departure a day. He had intended leaving the tools and
camp-ware with his mate, but now it was necessary to make arrangements
with a teamster to follow them to the new rush with their property.

Done approached Aurora with great misgivings; he expected a passionate
demonstration. There had been no sign of waning affection on her part; on
the contrary, she had seemed to grow more devoted to him.

'Burton thinks this field is pretty well worked out,' said Jim, as a
preparatory announcement.

'Well, I suppose it is, Jimmy. Been panning out badly of late?'

'Not very badly, old girl; but not good enough compared with what we hear
of from the other fields.'

She was sitting on the counter, holding his arm, and turned and looked
sharply into his face.

'You're off?' she said.

Done nodded his head, and watched her apprehensively. She was not
disturbed; next moment there was merriment in the eyes turned up to him
from where her head nestled on his breast.

'Mike thinks we are wasting valuable time here.'

And you are, too. Good luck go wid you, ma bouchal' She kissed the point
of his chin.

'You don't mind, Aurora?' He had come in shivering with apprehension at
the prospect of a passionate outburst, knowing the possibilities of her
fervid temperamen