"I never realised that you cared so much for me," Jean at length
whispered. "When did you begin to love me?"

"From the first time I saw you by that shack at Portland Point," Dane
replied. "I was so absent-minded when I went back to the lake that
Pete did not know what to make of me. I returned later and saw you at
one of the camps telling stories to several children. You know what
happened after that."

"Indeed I do," the girl declared. "I can never forget that night, nor
how you saved me from Seth Lupin."

"Have you heard from the villain since?"

"Not since coming here. But so long as he is in this country I cannot
feel safe. I sometimes imagine he is prowling around here and will
appear at any minute."

"Umph, it won't be well for him if he does when I am here," and Dane's
hands clenched hard. "He won't get off as easily as he did that last
time. I thought he might follow you when you first arrived at this
place, so ordered Pete to be on the lookout. I hoped that you would
understand the meaning of that arrow in the big pine."

"I was certain that you had much to do with that," Jean replied. "For
a while I thought that you were near, and wondered why you did not come
to see me. But now I know that you were thinking of my welfare, and
longing to come."