She was ashamed.

What would he say when she told him she could see him no more?
The thought made her weak.

He would accept and go his way--back to that lonely desert, with only a horse.
"Wildfire doesn't love him!" she said.
And the scarlet fired her neck and cheek and temple.

That leap of blood seemed to release a riot of emotions.

What had been a torment became a torture.