She did not answer, but her red mouth quivered.
He experienced a sudden thrilling desire to touch the fresh innocent lips with his.
“It would be curious,” he murmured unsteadily, “if I should learn what love is for the first time. Shall I tell you how old I am, Barbara?”
She looked up at him without curiosity.
“Well, I’m thirty-seven; and I’ve never loved any woman—I have never loved anything, except money and success. But now—Barbara!”
He bent toward her, his cold eyes alive with passion.
“No—no!” she cried, shrinking from him in sudden terror.
His face stiffened into its accustomed mask.
“You’re thinking I’ve waited too long,” he said bitterly, and the curling lash stung the bay horse in the flank.