Then the last
surprise in a day of surprises came to him. With a slight
stir, a slight, quick rustle of skirts, she stepped forward
and laid her hand in his.
The gesture was simple and very sweet; her eyes were soft and
full of light as she raised her face to his, her lips parted
in unconscious appeal.
There is no surrender so seductive as the surrender of a proud
woman. Loder's blood stirred, the undeniable suggestion of
the moment thrilled and disconcerted him in a tumult of
thought. Honor, duty, principle rose in a triple barrier; but
honor, duty, and principle are but words to a headstrong man.
Tho full significance of his position came to him as it had
never come before. His hand closed on hers; he bent towards
her, his pulses beating unevenly.
"Eve!" he said. Then at sound of his voice he suddenly
hesitated. It was the voice of a man who has forgotten
everything but his own existence.
For an instant he stayed motionless; then very quietly he drew
away from her, releasing her hands.
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