That dumb confession of Hilma's wide-open eyes had been enough for him.

Yet, somehow, he never had had a chance to act upon it.

During the short period when he could be on his ranch Hilma had always managed to avoid him.

Once, even, she had spent a month, about Christmas time, with her mother's father, who kept a hotel in San Francisco.
Now, to-day, however, he had her all to himself.

He would put an end to the situation that troubled him, and vexed him, day after day, month after month.