And with a wild glance about her, the girl sprang to her feet,
snatching her hand away from his.

"Arthur!" she cried; "Arthur, you must not speak to me so!"

"I must not, Helen?"

"No, no," she cried, trembling; "we were only children, and we did
not know the meaning of the words we used. You must not talk to me
that way, Arthur."

"Helen!" he protested, helplessly.

"No, no, I will not allow it!" she cried more vehemently, stepping
back as he started towards her, and holding close to her the hand he
had held. "I had no idea there was such a thought in your mind--"

Helen stopped, breathlessly.

"--or you would not have been so kind to me?" the other added
faintly.

"I thought of you as an old friend," said Helen. "I was but a child
when I went away. I wish you still to be a friend, Arthur; but you
must not act in that way."

The young man glanced once at her, and when he saw the stern look
upon her face he buried his head in his arms without a sound.