It meant, too, that the additional disgrace of being summarily dismissed would not descend upon her.
Impulsively, she took Warden's hand.

She looked inquiringly at him though, when he gripped it tightly, and the color that had come into her face fled, leaving it pale, when Warden continued to hold the hand, gripping it so hard that she could not withdraw it.

She looked intently at him, over the few feet of space that was between them, noting the queer light in his eyes--a glow of passion; watching the crimson tide that rose above his collar, staining his face darkly.
For the driving desire that had seized Warden had conquered him.
Physical contact with the girl had brought his passions to life again.
They had overwhelmed him, had sent his grain skittering back into those dead and gone periods when man's desires surmounted laws.
Warden no longer considered the risks whose ghosts had haunted him on his ride to the Hamlin cabin; his fears had been swallowed by the oblivion of mental irresponsibility.

He had only the vivid knowledge that he was alone in the cabin with the girl.
"But there are people in Willets who are determined that you shall go," he said.

"I can keep you on the job in spite of them, my dear--and I'll do it.