“Do you object to my smoking?” said Mrs. Perry.

“Not at all,” said Gordon.

He opened his case.

She took a cigarette.

He lighted it for her.

“Since you have been obliging enough to let me have a cigarette,” said Mrs. Perry, “I will be obliging enough to let you have a—kiss!”

He looked amazed.

She looked amused.

He hesitated.

She held up her face.