But he possessed himself of the trembling hand offered.

"Collie, you act so strange....

You're not crying!...

Am I only locoed, or flighty, or what?
Dear, look at me." Columbine swept her hand from her eyes with a gesture of utter surrender.
"Wilson, I'm ashamed--and sad--and gloriously happy," she said, with swift breathlessness.
"Why ?" he asked.
"Because of--of something I have to tell you," she whispered.
"What is that ?" She bent over him.
"Can't you guess ?" He turned pale, and his eyes burned with intense fire.
"I won't guess ...

I daren't guess." "It's something that's been true for years--forever, it seems--something I never dreamed of till last night," she went on, softly.
"Collie!" he cried.