"No, I can't."
"Can you understand one glorying in the tempest that may destroy
her, riding a fierce horse that may crush her, or being attracted
by a will strong and masterful, before which all must yield or
break?"
"I think I can."
"Then," said Charmian, "this man is strong and wild and very
masterful, and so--I ran away with him."
"And do you--love him?"
We walked on some distance ere she answered: "I--don't know."
"Not sure, then?"
"No."
After this we fell silent altogether, yet once, when I happened
to glance at her, I saw that her eyes were very bright beneath
the shadow of her drooping lashes, and that her lips were
smiling; and I pondered very deeply as to why this should be.
Re-entering the cottage, I closed the door, and waited the while
she lighted my candle.
And, having taken the candle from her hand, I bade her "Good
night," but paused at the door of my chamber.
"You feel--quite safe here?"
"Quite safe!"
"Despite the color of my hair and eyes--you have no fear of
--Peter Smith?"
"None!"
"Because--he is neither fierce nor wild nor masterful!"
"Because he is neither fierce nor wild," she echoed.
"Nor masterful!" said I.
"Nor masterful!" said Charmian, with averted head. So I opened
the door, but, even then, must needs turn back again.
"Do you think I am so very--different--from him?"
"As different as day from night, as the lamb from the wolf," said
she, without looking at me. "Good night, Peter!"
"Good night!" said I, and so, going into my room, I closed the
door behind me.
"A lamb!" said I, tearing off my neckcloth, and sat, for some
time listening to her footstep and the soft rustle of her
petticoats going to and fro.
"A lamb!" said I again, and slowly drew off my coat. As I did
so, a little cambric handkerchief fell to the floor, and I kicked
it, forthwith, into a corner.
"A lamb!" said I, for the third time, but, at this moment, came a
light tap upon the door.
"Yes?" said I, without moving.
"Oh, how is your injured thumb?"
"Thank you, it is as well as can be expected."
"Does it pain you very much?"
"It is not unbearable!" said I.