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"I didn't mean that," he cried. He had no idea whether she was angry or
not. She was just looking quietly and steadily into his face and waiting
for his explanation.

"Well, the truth is," he blurted out, "I wanted to go up the Aiguille
d'Argentière with you," and he saw a smile dimple her cheeks.

"I am honored," she said, and the tone of her voice showed besides that
she was very glad.

"Oh, but it wasn't only for the sake of your company," he said, and
stopped. "I don't seem to be very polite, do I?" he said, lamentably.

"Not very," she replied.

"What I mean is this," he explained. "Ever since we started this morning,
I have been recapturing my own sensations on my first ascent. Watching
you, your enjoyment, your eagerness to live fully every moment of this
day, I almost feel as if I too had come fresh to the mountains, as if the
Argentière were my first peak."

He saw the blood mount into her cheeks.

"Was that the reason why you questioned me as to what I thought and
felt?" she asked.

"Yes."

"I thought you were testing me," she said, slowly. "I thought you
were trying whether I was--worthy"; and once again humility had


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