But there are things to combat--impulses, a recklessness, perhaps something almost ruthless.

What else I do not know, for I have never experienced violent emotions of any sort--never even deep emotion." "You are in love!" "Yes, thoroughly," she added with conviction, "but not violently.

I--" she hesitated, stopped short, leaning forward, peering at him through the dusk; and: "Mr.Siward! are you laughing ?" She rose and he stood up instantly.
There was lightning in her darkening eyes now; in his something that glimmered and danced.

She watched it, fascinated, then of a sudden the storm broke and they were both laughing convulsively, face to face there under the stars.
"Mr.Siward," she breathed, "I don't know what I am laughing at; do you?
Is it at you?
At myself?
At my poor philosophy in shreds and tatters?
Is it some infernal mirth that you seem to be able to kindle in me--for I never knew a man like you before ?" "You don't know what you were laughing at ?" he repeated.

"It was something about love--" "No I don't know why I laughed! I--I don't wish to, Mr.Siward.I do not desire to laugh at anything you have made me say--anything you may infer--" "I don't infer--" "You do! You made me say something--about my being ignorant of deep, of violent emotion, when I had just informed you that I am thoroughly, thoroughly in love--" "Did I make you say all that, Miss Landis ?" "You did.