Hehadsoughther；hehadliftedheraboveherownlife。Ifonehumanbeinghadeverputitshappinessinthehandsofanother，thathadbeendone。Ifhehadnotdeliberatelytaughthertolovehim，hehadnottriedtopreventit。Hecouldnotexcusehimself；
thethoughtofgainingheraffectionhadoccurredtohim，andhehadputitaside。Therewasnoexcuse；forwhenshegaveherlove，hehadacceptedit，and，asfarassheknew，hadgivenhisownunreservedly。Ah，thatfatalmomentofweakness，thatnightonthemountam—side!Couldhetellher，couldhetellRaines，thetruth，andasktobereleased？WhatcouldEasterwithherdevotion，andRaineswithhissinglenessofheart，knowofthissubstituteforlovewhichcivilizationhadtaughthim？Or，grantingthattheycouldunderstand，hemightreturnhome；butEaster—whatwasleftforher？
Itwasuselesstotrytopersuadehimselfthatherlovewouldfadeaway，perhapsquickly，andleavenoscar；thatRaineswouldintimewinherforhimself，hisfirstideaoftheirunionberealized，and，intheend，allhappenforthebest。Thatmighteasilybepossiblewithadifferentnatureunderdifferentconditions—anaturelesspassionate，incontactwiththeworldandresponsivetovariedinterests；butnotwithEaster—alonewithalovethathadshamedhim，withmountain，earth，andskyunchanged，andthevacantdaysmarkedonlybyadrearyroundofwearisometasks。HerememberedRainesslastwords—\"Airyegoin’toleavethepo’galtodiesorrowin’ferye？\"Whathappinesswouldbepossibleforhimwiththatlonelymountain—topandthewhite，drawnfaceforeverhauntinghim？
Thatverynightalettercame，witharudesuperscription—thefirstfromEaster。Withinitwasapoortintype，fromwhichEaster’seyeslookedshylyathim。Beforehelefthehadtriedinvaintogethertothetentofanitinerantphotographer。Duringhisabsence，shehadevidentlygoneofherownaccord。Thefacewasverybeautiful，andinitwasanexpressionofquestioning，modestpride。
\"Aren’tyousurprised？\"itseemedtosay—\"andpleased？Onlytheface，withitsdelicatelines，andthethroatandtheshoulderswerevisible。