Sylvia's head was bent.
After a moment he leaned a little towards her, and spoke almost in a whisper.

"I feel as if I have caught a very rare, shy bird," he said.

"I'm trying to teach it to trust me, but it takes a mighty lot of time and patience.

Do you think I shall ever succeed, Sylvia?
Do you think it will ever come and nestle against my heart ?" Again his words went into silence.

The girl's eyes were fixed upon the stretch of sandy _veldt_ below her and that which it held.
Silently the man watched her, his keen eyes very steady, very determined.
She lifted her own at last, and met them with brave directness.
"You know, partner," she said, "it isn't very fair of you to ask me such a thing as that.