"I don't think you could."
"But I might. After all, I may be as attractive to women as you are to men. Perhaps we've both met our match. I admit you fascinate me. From the first moment I saw you, I wanted you. I told you that. And you?"
"I wanted you," said Jenny simply.
"It is love at first sight. And yet, do you know, I had an instinct to make you not like me."
"You couldn't."
"Couldn't I?" said Maurice, breathless. The heavy air of the coffee-shop vibrated with unheard passionate melodies.
"No," said Jenny, gazing full at the young lover opposite, while Eros shook his torch, and the gay deep eyes, catching the warm light, shone as they had never shone for any man before. "But why did you try to make me not like you?"
"I felt afraid," said Maurice. "I'm not very old, but I've made two girls unhappy, and I had a presentiment that you would be the revenge for them."
"I've made boys unhappy," said Jenny. "And I thought you were sent to pay me out."
"But I shall always love you," said Maurice, putting his hand across the little table and clasping her fingers close.