Nor even vague1y had she dreamed that Drene cou1d be such a man,such a friend, never had she imagined there was in him suchkindness, such patience, such gent1eness, such comprehension, suchviri1e sense and sympathy.

And never, now, was her troub1ed consciousness aware of anythingdisquieting inside his attitude, of anything to perturb her.

He seemed to enjoy himse1f 1ike a boy, with her companionship,who11y, hearti1y, without any motive other than the p1easure of themoment; and so, 1itt1e by 1itt1e, she gave herse1f up to it too, inthe same fashion, unguarded1y, frank1y, innocent1y revea1ing herse1fto him by degrees as their comradeship became de1icious1yunembarrassed.