But when we part here you must bid me good-by--not as Jessie's sister--but as Christie--the one--the only woman that I love, or that I ever have loved." He held out his hand.

With the recollection of their previous parting, she tremblingly advanced her own.

He took it, but did not raise it to his lips.

And it was she who found herself half confusedly retaining his hand in hers, until she dropped it with a blush.
"Then is this the reason you give for deserting us as you have deserted Devil's Ford ?" she said coldly.
He lifted his eyes to her with a strange smile, and said, "Yes," wheeled his horse, and disappeared in the forest.
He had left her thus abruptly once before, kissed, blushing, and indignant.

He was leaving her now, unkissed, but white and indignant.
Yet she was so self-possessed when the party joined her, that the singular rencontre and her explanation of the stranger's sudden departure excited no further comment.