. "I have had a fire built. It is
so damp and foggy outside. Sophie said you had to come in early from
your sail on account of it."

"We came near not coming in at all," Justin told her. "Doris was
terribly scared. But Mrs. Martens was as cool as possible. It's rather
risky business outside on such a day. The rocks are like needle points
under the water."

"I'm a terrible coward."

"You only think you are. When are you going to fly with me?"

"Never--please."

He had placed a chair for her by the fire, and stood leaning over the
back of it.

"Never is a long time--little sister."

"But I should be afraid."

"Not with me."

Silence.

"Not with me." He came around so that he could look into her face.
"Would you be afraid with me?"

She knew that she would not. She had not been afraid in the storm. But
these things were not to be told.

She did not meet his eyes, but shook her head.

He was struck by her troubled look.

"Tired--little sister?" he asked.

Her lips quivered. "Very tired."

His heart yearned over her. She seemed such a little thing in that
stately room with its high ceilings, its massive furniture, its
book-lined walls. The only light came from the fire, and from a silver
lamp which hung over Diana's desk. On the table near Bettina was a bowl
of pink hyacinths, which filled the room with the fresh fragrance of
spring.

He was conscious of these things, however, only as a setting for her
beauty. And he was more than ever conscious of his desire to place
himself between her and the world which might hurt her. "Let me help
you," he said, earnestly. "Don't you know that my only desire is to
serve you?"

She considered him, wistfully. "It's dear of you to say that."

He sat down, leaning toward her.

"It isn't dear of me. It isn't even good of me. It's simply
self-preservation. Don't you know, can't you see that I have only one
thought--your happiness; only one wish--to be always near you?"

There was no mistaking the significance of his flaming words.

She shrank back. "Oh, you must not say such things."

"Why not?"

"Because. Oh, you called yourself my friend."

"I am more than that," he said, steadily. "I am your lover."

"Please--oh, please."

She began to sob like a little child. "Oh, big brother," she told him,
"you have spoiled everything."

He knelt beside her chair. "How have I spoiled things?"

"I wanted you for my friend."

"I am your friend, dear one."

Very