"Three years ago you were a child. I did not think about you. I wanted a wife--and Avery was pretty. I thought I was in love with her. Then you grew up all at once--and we were such good friends--I never could talk to Avery--she wasn"t interested in anything I said--and you have eyes that catch a man--I"ve always thought of your eyes. But I was honour-bound to Avery--I didn"t dream you cared. You must marry me next Wednesday, Janet--we"ll have a double wedding. You won"t mind--being married--so soon?"
"Oh, no--I won"t--mind," said Janet dazedly. "Only--oh, Randall--I must tell you--I didn"t mean to tell you--I"d have rather died--but now--I must tell you about it now--because I can"t bear anything hidden between us. I went to old Granny Thomas--and got a love ointment from her--to make Avery love you, because I knew she didn"t--and I wanted you to be happy--Randall, don"t--I can"t talk when you do that! Do you think Granny"s ointment could have made her care for Bruce?"
Randall laughed--the little, low laugh of the triumphant lover.
"If it did, I"m glad of it. But I need no such ointment on my eyes to make me love you--you carry your philtre in that elfin little face of yours, Janet."