"Linda...." whispered Loring. "Linda...."
The sudden revulsion of mood made him dizzy.
"Oh ... Linda," he repeated, and, putting out his arms, drew her to him again.
But she was quite serious now. Frowning a little, and swayed back stiffly in his grasp, she said:
"See here, Morry—you've called me some hard names. But I'll let that pass. I can understand that. What I can't understand, and what I won't let pass is your trying to keep me and your wife at the same time. I won't lie any more—— Yes.... I did lie just now. It did me good all over, too!" And she showed her white teeth in a rather fierce little smile. "But I won't lie any more. I don't love Lewis Cuthbridge— I rather loathe him ... but as sure as I live ... as we both live ... unless you break free ... unless you get that divorce, or let her divorce ... I'll marry Lewis within two months. Mind you...." she added, as she felt his arms tighten convulsively, "I'm not lying.... I mean it."
Loring's face looked drawn and curiously hunted.
As she spoke, his eyes followed the movements of her full, soft lips. They curled into such lovely curves when she talked—now hiding her little fine, white lower teeth, now revealing them.
"And if I say I'll do it ... then ... will you kiss me?" he whispered.
A wild thrill sang through Belinda. Her arms, which had been hanging at her sides, whipped round him. She strained him to her.
"If you'll swear it ... I will," she whispered back.