"You haven't offered to kiss me."
I rose and kissed her on the lips; she stood still and did not kiss me.
"Thank you," she said. "I asked you to kiss me, and you've kissed me. Thank you." She paused and added, "Have I grown so much older in a day?"
"It is not that. It's——"
"It is that," she said. She turned away and seated herself on the sofa, where she sat with her eyes fixed on the ground. Then she gave a short laugh. "I knew it would come," she said, "but this is—is rather sudden."
I ran to her and threw myself on my knees by her. I lifted my arm and put it round her neck and drew her face down to mine.
"No, no, no," I whispered passionately. "It's not that."
She let me kiss her now many times, and presently returned my kisses. Her breath caught in gasps, and she clutched my hand imploringly.
"You do love me?" she murmured.
"Yes, yes."