She might then dismiss him and proceed with her marriage, but first she must know this much of the truth at least.

So he argued, insensible to the sophistry of his reasoning, which was in reality impelled by the hunger to see her and hear her voice again.

He snatched his hat and bolted out, almost running in his eagerness.
An up-river steamboat was just landing as he neared the trading-post--a freighter, as he noted by her lights.

In the glare at the river-bank he saw Poleon and the trader, who had evidently returned from Lee's Creek, and without accosting them he hurried on to the store.

Peering in from the darkness, he saw Alluna; no doubt Necia was alone in the house behind.