In this quest he rode slowly up
the valley of the Bear Water, through the bright sunshine, the rare
beauty of the scene scarcely leaving the slightest impress on his mind,
so busy was it, and so preoccupied. He no longer had any doubt that
Hampton had utilized his advantageous position, as well as his
remarkable powers of pleasing, to ensnare the susceptible heart of this
young, confiding girl. While the man had advanced no direct claim, he
had said enough to make perfectly clear the close intimacy of their
relation and the existence of a definite understanding between them.
With this recognized as a fact, was he justified in endeavoring to win
Naida Gillis for himself? That the girl would find continued happiness
with such a man as Hampton he did not for a moment believe possible;
that she had been deliberately deceived regarding his true character he
felt no doubt. The fellow had impressed her by means of his
picturesque personality, his cool, dominating manner, his veneer of
refinement; he had presumed on her natural gratitude, her girlish
susceptibility, her slight knowledge of the world, to worm his way into
her confidence, perhaps even to inspire love.
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