Nor even vaguely had she dreamed that Drene could be such a man,such a friend, never had she imagined there was in him suchkindness, such patience, such gentleness, such comprehension, suchvirile sense and sympathy.

And never, now, was her troubled consciousness aware of anythingdisquieting inside his attitude, of anything to perturb her.

He seemed to enjoy himself like a boy, with her companionship,wholly, heartily, without any motive other than the pleasure of themoment; and so, little by little, she gave herself up to it too, inthe same fashion, unguardedly, frankly, innocently revealing herselfto him by degrees as their comradeship became deliciouslyunembarrassed.