He was quite pale and agitated, although attempting, by a jaunty swinging of the switch he had just cut, to assume the appearance of ease and confidence.
Here was an opportunity.

Christie resolved to profit by it.

She did not doubt that the young fellow had already passed her sister on the trail, but, from bashfulness, had not dared to approach her.

By inviting his confidence, she would doubtless draw something from him that would deny or corroborate her father's opinion of his sentiments.

If he was really in love with Jessie, she would learn what reasons he had for expecting a serious culmination of his suit, and perhaps she might be able delicately to open his eyes to the truth.