She started slightly, shrank a little, and raised her eyes timidly to his face, but dropped them instantly, and blushed beneath the ardent gaze with which he was regarding her.
“Drusilla,” he said, panting and speaking low, “do you know how I love you?”
Had he asked her this question a week before, speaking in his usual tone, she would have answered him promptly and sweetly and calmly.
But now she only trembled very much, without being able to utter a word.
“Do you know how I love you, Drusilla?” he panted low, stealing his arm around her waist.
“Oh, don’t, sir! please don’t!” gasped the girl, frightened at his caress.
“Don’t what, my darling?” he whispered, drawing her closer to his heart.
“Oh, don’t! let me go, please!” she faltered, gently trying to free herself.
“‘Don’t let you go, please!’ I don’t intend to, my beautiful darling,” said Alexander, passionately pressing his lips to hers.
At that moment the door was pushed gently open by Dorset, who entered with the tea tray, and stood still in astonishment.