The forceful ring in his voice set something thrilling within her, and
she knew by this time that his assertions seldom went beyond the fact.
"But you will have the opportunity, and we need you here," she said.
"No," said Winston slowly. "I am afraid not. Still, I will finish the
work I see in front of me. That at least--one cannot hope for the
unattainable."
Maud Barrington was sensible of a sudden chill. "Still, if one has
strength and patience, is anything quite unattainable?"
Winston looked out across the prairie, and for a moment the demons of
pride and ambition rioted within him. He knew there were in him the
qualities that compel success, and the temptation to stretch out a
daring hand and take all he longed for grew almost overmastering.
Still, he also knew how strong the innate prejudices of caste and
tradition are in most women of his companion's station, and she had
never hidden one aspect or her character from him. It was with a
smothered groan he realized that if he flung the last shred of honor
aside and grasped the forbidden fruit it would turn to bitterness in
his mouth.
"Yes," he said very slowly. "There is a limit which only fools would
pass."
Then there was silence for a while, until, as they swept across the
rise, Maud Barrington laughed as she pointed to the lights that blinked
in the hollow, and Winston realized that the barrier between them stood
firm again.
"Our views seldom coincide for very long, but there is something else
to mention before we reach the Grange," she said.
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