Magdalen almost lost her footing and caught blindly at his arm . As her fingers closed on his wrist a thrill as of fire shot through his every vein . `` Why have you done this , Mr. Elliott ? You must go back . '' `` But I will not , '' he said masterfully , looking straight into her eyes with an imperiousness that sat well upon him . `` I am going to row you over to Chapel Point . I have the oars -- I will be master this once , at least . '' For an instant her eyes flashed defiant protest , then drooped before his . A sudden , hot blush crimsoned her pale face . His will had mastered hers ; the girl trembled from head to foot , and the proud , sensitive , mouth quivered . Into the face of the man watching her breathlessly flashed a triumphant , passionate joy . He put out his hand and gently pushed her down into the seat . Sitting opposite , he took up the oars and pulled out over the sheet of sparkling blue water , through which at first the bottom of white sand glimmered wavily but afterwards deepened to translucent , dim depths of greenness . His heart throbbed tumultuously . Once the thought of Marian drifted across his mind like a chill breath of wind , but it was forgotten when his eyes met Magdalen 's . `` Tell me about yourself , Magdalen , '' he said at last , breaking the tremulous , charmed , sparkling silence . `` There is nothing to tell , '' she answered with characteristic straightforwardness . `` My life has been a very uneventful one . I have never been rich , or very well educated , but -- it used to be different from now . I had some chance before -- before Father died . ''
`` You must have found it very lonely and strange when you came here XXXXX . ''
Elliott Father Magdalen Marian Point fire first imperiousness oars straightforwardness