That quiet coldness banished from his mind the speech which he had prepared.
He said at last: "Kate, I want you to talk with me for a few minutes." She considered him seriously--without fear, but with such a deep distrust that he was startled.

He had not dreamed that matters had progressed as far as that.

At length she stepped back, and without a word beckoned him to come inside.

He entered and then his eyes raised and met her glance with such a deep, still yearning that she was startled.

No woman can see the revelation of a man's love without being moved to the heart.
She said: "You are in trouble, Angus ?" The hunger of his eyes came full in her face.
"Aye, trouble." "And you have come to me--" she asked; and before she could finish her sentence, McTee broke in, pleadingly: "For help." He saw her lips part, her eyes brighten; he knew it was his despair which was winning her.
"Tell me!" And she made a little gesture with both hands toward him.
"I have seen it for days.