He dropped her hand. Suddenly he realized the consequences, the
necessary effect upon Hugh of this willful venture of hers.

"Does Hugh know where you are?" he asked painfully.

"No. I ran away. I heard you getting ready, and I just felt that I
couldn't bear to be left behind. I slipped out of bed so quietly that
Bella didn't even stir, and I dressed just as quietly, and when you
had gone half across the clearing, I ran out after you, listening
to your steps. You see, I have the hearing, as well as the touch,
of the blind." This was said with a cunning sort of recklessness;
but Pete, absorbed in his anxiety, did not challenge the improbable
statement. "Please don't be angry with me, Pete." She touched his
hand where it hung at his side. "Can't I have my adventure? Let's
call it _ours_."

In spite of himself, the young man's pulse quickened, but his face
and voice were stern.

"Do you know that we'll be very late?" he said. "It will be midnight
before we can possibly make it back to the cabin, if you can even
do it at all. You'll have to spend the night somewhere at the station.
What will they think? They will be anxious, Bella and Hugh."

"But what can they think?" Her cheeks were unexplainably scarlet.
"If I choose to trust you to take care of me, why should they grumble?
And I won't have to spend the night. You don't know how strong I am.
I'm very strong. I don't feel tired. We'll go back by moonlight.
There's a beautiful moon."