"You see it didn't matter with my friends. And my reputation was
beyond hope anyhow. It was different with James."

She nodded. "Yes. It wouldn't have improved his chances with
Valencia," her cousin admitted.

Jeff permitted himself a smile. "My impression was that he did not
have Mrs. Van Tyle in mind at the time."

They had waded through the wet ferns to the edge of the woods. As
her eyes swept the russet valley through which they had passed
Alice drew a deep breath of pleasure. How good it was to be alive
in such a world of beauty! A meadow lark throbbed its three notes
at her joyfully to emphasize their kinship. An English pheasant
strutted across the path and disappeared into the ferns. Neither
the man nor the woman spoke. All the glad day called them to the
emotional climax toward which they were racing.

Womanlike, Alice attempted to evade what she most desired. He was
to be her mate. She knew it now. But the fear of him was in her
heart.

"Were you so fond of him? Is that why you did it for him?" she
asked.

"I didn't do it for him."

"For whom then?"