He was almost conquered by her sign of tears.

It was a new phase of her to see her melt into weakness so.

He was charmed.
"How long must I stay away ?" he faltered.
She could scarcely speak, so desperate she felt.

O if she dared but say, "Forever," and shout it at him! She was desperate enough to try her chances at shooting him if she but had the pistols, and was sure they were loaded--a desperate chance indeed against the best shot on the Pacific coast, and a desperado at that.
She pressed her hands to her throbbing temples, and tried to think.

At last she faltered out, "Three days!" He swore beneath his breath, and his brows drew down in heavy frowns that were not good to see.