He wins the girl ?" she murmured in repetition to herself.
"What ever could he have meant?
He didn't mean--he didn't--" The simple, logical interpretation of Wilson's words opened Columbine's mind to a disturbing possibility of which she had never dreamed.

That he might love her! If he did, why had he not said so?
Jealous, maybe, but he did not love her! The next throb of thought was like a knock at a door of her heart--a door never yet opened, inside which seemed a mystery of feeling, of hope, despair, unknown longing, and clamorous voices.

The woman just born in her, instinctive and self-preservative, shut that door before she had more than a glimpse inside.

But then she felt her heart swell with its nameless burdens.
Pronto was grazing near at hand.

She caught him and mounted.