A gay hazard! A sporting wager! And straight you dressed me up to suit you; and being a man, and therefore conceited, you could scarcely admit that you had lost your wager to your better senses.

Could you?
But now you shall admit that in this frowsy, woollen gown the magic of both Cinderella and the Princess vanishes with yesterday's enchantment, and, instead of Chloe, pink and simpering, only a sturdy comrade stands revealed who now, as guerdon for the future, strikes hands with you--like this! Koue!" And with the clear and joyous cry on her lips she struck my palm violently with hers, nor winced under my quick-closing grip.
"Is all now clear and plain between us, Euan ?" she inquired.

And it seemed to me that her eagerness and fervour rang false.
"You can not love me, then ?" I asked in a low voice.
"I?
What has love to do with us--here in the woods--and I without knowledge and experience----" "You do not love me, then ?" "I can not." "Why ?" She made no answer, but bit her lip.
"You need not reply," said I."Yet--that night I left Otsego--and when I passed you in the dark--I thought----" "My heart was full that night! What comrade could feel less and still possess a human heart ?" she said almost sullenly.
"Your letter--and mine--encouraged me to believe----" "I know," she said, with the curt and almost breathless impatience of haste, "but have I ever denied our bond of intimacy, Euan?
Closer bond have I with no man.

But it must be a comrade's bond between us....

I meant to make that plain to you--and doubtless, my heart being full--and I but a girl--conveyed to you--by what I said--and did----" "Lois! Is it not in you to love me as a woman loves a man ?" "I told you that when the time arrived I would doubtless be what you wish me to be----" "You can love me, then ?" "How do I know?
You perplex and vex me.