She raised her hands and gracefully tossed him several kisses.
Slowly Mr. Minge retraced his steps, and, as he sat down once more close to his sister and pushed back his hat, she saw that he intended her to realize that her reign was at an end; and she trembled and turned pale at the expression with which he regarded her.
“Merton, don’t you know—don’t you believe—that I love you above everything else?”
She sat erect, and stole one arm around the neck that did not bend toward her, as was its habit.
“If you really loved me, you would desire to see me happy.”
“I do desire it, earnestly and sincerely; and there is no sacrifice I would not make to see you really happy.”
“Provided I selected your mode of obtaining the boon, and moreover consulted your caprices and antipathies; otherwise, my happiness would annoy and insult you.”
“Don’t scold,—kiss me.” She put up her lips, but he did not respond to the motion, and she pettishly drew his head down and kissed him several times. “How obstinate you have grown!—how harsh towards me! It is all the result of that—”
She bit her lip, and her brother frowned.
“Take care! You seem continually disposed to stumble very awkwardly into forbidden realms.”