'My relatives and your sister will be sure to suspect me of having arranged this scramble with you.' 'But I know better,' sighed De Stancy.

'I wish to Heaven you had arranged it!' She was not at the top, but she took advantage of the halt to answer his previous question.

'There are many points on which I must be satisfied before I can reaffirm anything.

Do you not see that you are mistaken in clinging to this idea ?--that you are laying up mortification and disappointment for yourself ?' 'A negative reply from you would be disappointment, early or late.' 'And you prefer having it late to accepting it now?
If I were a man, I should like to abandon a false scent as soon as possible.' 'I suppose all that has but one meaning: that I am to go.' 'O no,' she magnanimously assured him, bounding up from her seat; 'I adhere to my statement that you may stay; though it is true something may possibly happen to make me alter my mind.' He again offered his arm, and from sheer necessity she leant upon it as before.
'Grant me but a moment's patience,' he began.
'Captain De Stancy! Is this fair?
I am physically obliged to hold your arm, so that I MUST listen to what you say!' 'No, it is not fair; 'pon my soul it is not!' said De Stancy.

'I won't say another word.' He did not; and they clambered on through the boughs, nothing disturbing the solitude but the rustle of their own footsteps and the singing of birds overhead.