He drove very slowly.

They were drawing near the turn in the road.

"See here," he said, suddenly, "don't you think you'd better go home now ?" He spoke with nothing of the half-gay, half-caressing authority with which he was wont to turn a pretty girl to his mind, but timidly rather, and kept his eyes fixed on the mare's nodding head, hooded with snow.
"No, I must see Burr's mother," replied Madelon.
"But your folks will be expecting you, won't they ?" persisted Jim Otis.

He felt that he had a duty of loyalty towards this desperate girl's father and brothers as well as to herself.

He had promised Eugene Hautville to bring her home this morning, and who could tell where she might wander and when she might return if he left her now?
He still did not look at Madelon as he spoke, but he felt her turn and fasten her eyes upon his face, and somehow they compelled his.