`` Hardly , '' responded Esterbrook curtly . `` She seemed surprisingly dignified and self-possessed , I fancied , for a girl in her position . A princess could not have looked and bowed more royally . There was not a shadow of embarrassment in her manner , in spite of the incongruity of her surroundings . You had much better leave her alone , Marian . In all probability she would resent any condescension on your part . What wonderful , deep , lovely eyes she has . '' Again the sensitive colour flushed Marian 's cheek as his voice lapsed unconsciously into a dreamy , retrospective tone , and a slight restraint came over her manner , which did not depart . Esterbrook went away at sunset . Marian asked him to remain for the evening , but he pleaded some excuse . `` I shall come tomorrow afternoon , '' he said , as he stooped to drop a careless good-bye kiss on her face . Marian watched him wistfully as he rode away , with an unaccountable pain in her heart . She felt more acutely than ever that there were depths in her lover 's nature that she was powerless to stir into responsive life . Had any other that power ? She thought of the girl at the Cove , with her deep eyes and wonderful face . A chill of premonitory fear seized upon her . `` I feel exactly as if Esterbrook had gone away from me forever , '' she said slowly to herself , stooping to brush her cheek against a dew-cold , milk-white acacia bloom , `` and would never come back to me again . If that could happen , I wonder what there would be left to live for ? '' * * * * * Esterbrook Elliott meant , or honestly thought he meant , to go home when he left Marian . Nevertheless , when he reached the road branching off to the Cove he turned his horse down it with a flush on his dark cheek .
He realized XXXXX the motive of the action was disloyal to Marian and he felt ashamed of his weakness .
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