Suddenly, and with an almost wild impulse, Hendrickson caught her hand, and raising it to his lips, said-- "I cannot hold back the words a moment longer, dear Miss Loring! From the hour I first looked into your face, I felt that we were made for each other; and now"-- But ere he could finish the sentence, Jessie had flung his hand away and started to her feet.
"Miss Loring!" He was on his feet also.

For some moments they stood gazing at each other.

The countenance of Miss Loring was of an ashen hue; her lips, almost as pallid as her cheeks, stood arching apart, and her eyes had the stare of one frightened by some fearful apparition.
"Miss Loring! pardon my folly! Your language made me bold to utter what had else slept in my heart eternally silent.

Forget this hour!" "Never! Never!" and she struck her hands together wildly.

Her voice had in it a wail of suffering that sent a thrill to the heart of Paul Hendrickson.
Then recollecting herself, she struggled for the mastery over her feelings.