Why struggle against
circumstance? If death were so near, what did she gain by prudery?
For an instant she stood aghast at the revelation which had come to
her. She was in love with Courtenay. She was ready to die by his
side, fearless and joyous, if only he would put his arms around her and
tell her that she was dear to him. Ah, the fierce delight of that
first silent surrender! Her heart beat as it had never pulsed before,
even under the stress of the storm or the sudden terror of the night
attack. Her eyes shone, and her breath came laboriously between parted
lips. Golden dreams coursed through her brain. She was thrilled with
an unutterable longing.
Then her swimming eyes rested on a group of men standing on the poop.
Among them was Christobal, interested, like the rest, in the floating
of the mine. And forthwith Elsie fell from the clouds, and was brought
back, shuddering, to cold reason again. She was sick at heart; she
hated herself for her self-abasement. She must gird her with sackcloth
and mourn; and the fight must be fought now, without parley or
hesitation, unless the sweetness were to go forth from life for ever,
and all things should turn to ashes in her mouth.
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