"It's all right," smiled Chris. "Are you in a great hurry? I wondered if
you would tow me a little way. I've come too far, and I'm just a tiny bit
tired."

He brought the boat near, and shipped his oars. "I will row you to the
shore with pleasure, mademoiselle," he said.

"No, no," she said. "Just throw me a rope, that's all."

"But I have no rope, mademoiselle."

He leaned down to her as she swam alongside; but Chris still hung back,
with laughing eyes upraised. "You will capsize in a minute, and that
won't help either of us. Really, I don't think I will come out."

But she gave him her hand, nevertheless.

His fingers closed upon it in a warm clasp that seemed very sure of
itself. He smiled down at her. "I think otherwise, mademoiselle."

She found it impossible to resist him, and so yielded with characteristic
briskness of decision. "Very well, if you will let me dive from the boat
afterwards. Hold tight, _preux chevalier_! One--two--three!"

She came up to him out of the sea like a bird rising from the waves. A
moment he had her slim young body between his hands. Then she stepped
lightly upon the thwart, and he let her go.

And in that instant something happened: something that was like the
kindling of spirit into flame ran between them--a transforming magic that