Her brows met in an angry frown.

Was he a coward?
Did he fear Marshall Langham?
Once more she rested her hand on his arm.

"Jack, dear Jack, are _you_ going to fail me, too ?" "What would you have me say or do, Evelyn ?" he demanded impatiently.
She regarded him sadly.
"What has made you change, Jack?
What is it; what have I done?
Why did you not answer my letters?
Why did you not come to see me ?" "I only learned that you were in town this afternoon," he said.
"Yes, but you had no intention of coming, I know you hadn't! You would have left Mount Hope without even a good-by to me!" "It is hard enough to have to go, Evelyn!" "It isn't that, Jack.

What have I done?
How have I displeased you ?" "You haven't displeased me, Evelyn," he faltered.
"Then why have you treated me as you have ?" "I thought it would be easier," he said.
"Have you forgotten what friends we were once ?" she asked softly.

"You always helped me out of my difficulties then, and you told me once that you cared--a great deal for me, more than you should ever care for any woman!" "Yes," he answered shortly, and was silent.
He would scarcely have admitted to himself how foolish his early passion had been, for it was at least sincere and there could have been no sacrifice, at one time, that he would not have willingly made for her sake.