Now this form of expression was undoubtedly ambiguous; to give a kiss may mean: 1. What it literally says—to bestow a kiss. 2. To offer one’s self to be kissed. 3. To accept willingly a proffered kiss; and, without much straining of words, 4. Merely to refrain from angry expostulation and a rupture of acquaintance when one is kissed—this last partaking rather of the nature of the ratification of an unauthorized act, and being, in fact, the measure of Dora’s criminality. But the other shades of meaning caught her attention.
“You know it’s untrue; I never did,” she cried angrily. “I told you at the time that no gentleman would have done it.”
“Oh, you mean Ashforth, I suppose? It’s always Ashforth.”
“Well, he wouldn’t.”
“And some girls I know wouldn’t forgive a man on Monday and round on him on Wednesday.”
“Oh, you needn’t trouble to mention names. I know the paragon you’re thinking of!”
They were now at the hotel.
“Going in?” asked Charlie.
“Yes.”
“I suppose we shall go to the Bois together?”