She smiled.
“And so punish me for not saying ‘yes,’” she said, with a little attempt at archness. “That would be hard for me, Jack. I should lose lover and friend as well.”
“You are the truest-hearted woman in the world,” said Jack, deeply moved.
“Except one,” said Lady Bell. “There, go now, Jack, and come to dinner tonight, and bring Leonard Dagle with you—another true heart.”
“I will,” said Jack, simply. And he held out his hand.
She held out both of hers, and looked at him with a strange, wistful yearning in her eyes.
“Jack,” she breathed, softly, “will you kiss me for the first and last time?”
Jack drew her toward him and kissed her. Then, with a little sigh, she left him. How Jack got out he knew not, for his eyes were strangely dim and useless.