all I say all that I
feel here?' She gave an effective gesture as she pressed the other
hand against her own bosom. 'You have come into a land of nothing but
ignorance and into it you have brought the brain of a scholar. You
said, "I will find gold," and they laughed at you--and you found it!
It was not chance; Alan was right. It was the act of a man who knew.
This land has many kinds of men, Mr. Longstreet. It has no other man
like you. It needs you. You must stay!'

'Oh,' said Helen. It was scarcely more than a gasp, and yet it bespoke
profound disgust. The woman was insufferable. Here, upon the top of
her treachery, was most palpable flattery. Surely her father would not
fail to see now the woman's true character; surely he must baulk at
such talk as this. But he was beaming again as though the clouds of a
storm had passed and the sunlight were streaming upon him; he rubbed
his hands together and spoke cheerfully.

'Sanchia is right; Alan is right. These two understand me. I shall
show to the world that they have not misjudged me. I know my own
limitations. I am no superman. I have made blunders in my time. But
I do know my own work, and I am the only man here who does! In a way
Sanchia is right when she says that this country needs me. It does.
And I need it. We are going to stay, my dear.'

Sanchia flashed Helen a look of triumph; her eyes, passing on to
Howard, held briefly a sparkle of malice.

'Alan and I are very grateful to have your approval,' she said sweetly.
'Aren't we, Alan?' and again her look was for Helen and was triumphant.

Helen pushed her plate away and for a second time rose abruptly.

'I'll choke if I stay in here,' she said. And, with breast heaving,
she went to the door and out into the fading afternoon. Sanchia's
glance followed her and then returned placidly to the men.

'The dear child is high-strung, and Heaven knows she has been through
enough to upset anyone,' she said condoningly. Then, 'Mr. Carr and
you, Alan, don't seem to be hungry any more. I would like a word with
Mr. Longstreet, and if you two went out to Helen perhaps you might
soothe her. Remember she is only a child after all.'

Glad of the excuse to be gone, both men rose. As they went out they
saw how Sanchia was already leaning toward Longstreet, how her hand had
again found its way to his arm. Then they lost sight of her and saw
Helen standing upon the cliff edge looking off to the lowland