"Well, that's fair and square and above-board, Denham. I'm pretty good
at reading men, and I think I've read you accurately. But as you
yourself have thrown out the suggestion, you won't be offended if I
follow it?"
He looked the other full in the face as though with a searching glance.
But no trace of hesitation did he read there.
"Why, most emphatically not," came the ready answer. "I'm a man of the
world, Halse, and if I were in your place I should certainly exact a
similar guarantee. You will get answers in a couple of months at the
outside, I'll take care of that. Meanwhile, you will sanction our
engagement provisionally, subject to those answers being satisfactory to
yourself?"
"Yes."
And again the two men clasped hands.
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Then followed a couple of weeks of what was simply a halcyon time. The
sympathy that had existed between them almost from the very first had
deepened now into the most perfect of affinity and trust. Again and
again Alaric Denham blessed the chance that had brought him into the
wilderness to find this pearl of great price--the one woman in the whole
world who seemed born for him, who would stand by him even if the whole
world were against him--and there might occur the opportunity of putting
even this test upon her, but that he did not then foresee. Long days
out together, in the sombre forest, or exploring wild, craggy heights in
the clear, exhilarating mountain air; and every one of those days seemed
far too short, and never was there the slightest sign of interest
flagging between them. He told her more about himself and his life, but
there was still that one thing he did not tell her. Yet why should he?
The load was thrown off, and would remain buried in mystery for ever.
Surely this strange, wild country had brought him relief and happiness
beyond measure.
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