curves of scorn. "The manners of the gods seem strange to
mortals."

"I love you," he answered simply.

Then there was no sound save that of the water, dropping over the
edge of the great basin to the soft grass beneath.

"Can't you forgive me?" he asked humbly. "I am profoundly sorry;
only, my temptation was superhuman."

"I had thought that you were that, too," said the girl in a
whisper.

"There is no excuse, I know; there is only a reason. I love you,
little girl. I love your questioning eyes, and your firm mouth,
and your smooth brown hair"--

"Stop!" begged Daphne, putting out her hands. "You must not say
such things to me, for I am not free to hear them. I must go
away," and she turned toward home. But he grasped one of the
outstretched hands and drew her to the stone bench near the
fountain, and then seated himself near her side.

"Now tell me what you mean," he said quietly.

"I mean," she answered, with her eyes cast down, "that two years
ago I promised to love some one else. I must not even hear what
you are trying to say to me."