And, though he was not a vain man, yet he knew he had done it cleverly.

But, somehow--even as he waited to see if the hour for full confidences were indeed ripe--he was not able to feel the thrill of exultation which should belong to the winner of a hard-fought duel.

Instead, to his amazement, he was aware of a growing sense of shame, of disgust at having used such weapons against any woman,--especially against this girl whose whiteness of soul and of purpose he could no longer doubt.
Then, through the silence and above the soft lap-lap-lap of water against the idly drifting boat's side, Claire drew a deep breath.

She threw back her drooping shoulders and sat up, facing the man.

And in the dusk, Gavin could see the flash of resolve in her great eyes.
"Yes!" she said, impulsively.