There she sat, pleading, speaking that eternal Phrase, which since the beginning of primeval times hath been used by wily Woman for the undoing of a generous-minded Man.
"Will You do this, Sir—just to please me?"
"I swear to You that it shall be done," he rejoined with passionate fervour. "But will you not let me tell you first——"
"No!—No!" she said quickly, clasping her delicate hands. "I pray You—not just yet. I—I so long to see You write ... there ... at this Desk, where lie piled letters from every illustrious Person and every crowned Head in Europe. And now You will write," she entreated, in the tone of an indulged and wayward Child. "You will? Just one little Document for me, because ... because You say You love me, and ... because ... I..."
"Barbara!" he cried in an Ecstasy of Happiness. "My Beloved!"
He was on the point of falling on his Knees, but once more a demure Gesture, a drawing back of her whole Figure, restrained him.
"No! No!" she reiterated firmly. "When you have written, I will listen——"—another Glance, and he was vanquished. Then she completed her Phrase—"to all you have to say."
He drew back with a sigh, and took up his Pen.
"As you command," he said simply, and made ready to write.
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