"It would hardly have done, would it, to vow what you were not at all
sure you would ever be able to fulfil? Take my advice, and never bank a
_sou_ upon the move of any woman!"

"You're not a woman," he laughed in her eyes; "you're just an
abbreviation!"

But Opal was not one whit sensitive upon the subject of her height. Not
she!

"Well, some abbreviations are more effective than the words they stand
for," she retorted. "I shall cling to the flattering hope that such may
be my attraction to the reader whose 'only books are woman's looks!'"

"But why did you run away?"

"Just--because!" Then, after a pause, "Why did you follow?"

"I don't know, do you? Just--because, I suppose!"

And then they both laughed again.

"But I know why you ran. You were afraid!" said Paul.

Her eyes flashed and there was a fine scorn in her tones.

"Afraid--of what, pray?"

"Of being caught--too easily! Come, now--weren't you?"