Above them the sky was salmon-colour; patches of late sunlight burned red on the tree trunks; over the lagoon against the slowly kindling west clouds of wild-fowl whirled, swung, and spread out into endless lengthening streaks like drifting bands of smoke.
From time to time the girl cast a furtive glance toward him; but he was looking straight ahead with a darkly set face; and an ache, dull, scarcely perceptible, grew in her heart as they flew on along the glimmering road.
"Of what are you thinking, brother ?" she asked persuasively.
"Of something I am going to do; as soon as I reach home; I mean _your_ home." "I wish it were yours, too," she said, smiling frankly; "you are such a safe, sound, satisfactory substitute for another brother." ...

And as he made no response: "What is this thing which you are going to do when you reach home ?" "I am going to ask your mother a question." Unquiet she turned toward him, but his face was doggedly set forward as the chair circled through the gates and swept up to the terrace.
He sprang out; and as he aided her to descend she felt his hand trembling under hers.

A blind thrill of premonition halted her; then she bit her lip, turned, and mounted the steps with him.

At the door he stood aside for her to pass; but again she paused and turned to Hamil, irresolute, confused, not even daring to analyse what sheer instinct was clamouring; what intuition was reading even now in his face, what her ears divined in his unsteady voice uttering some commonplace to thank her for the day spent with him.
"What is it that you are going to say to my mother ?" she asked again.
And at the same instant she knew from his eyes--gazing into them in dread and dismay.
"Don't!" she said breathlessly; "I cannot let--" The mounting wave of colour swept her: "Don't go to her!--don't ask such a--a thing.

I am--" She faltered, looking up at him with terrified eyes, and laid one hand on his arm.
The frightened wordless appeal stunned him as they stood there, confronting one another.