“But—”
“You shall not go till you have sworn.”
The little tigress, with one spring towards the door, locked it and drew out the key; with another, she had reached the nearest window.
“No, no, don’t. I swear!” cried Lauriston, who saw with stupefaction that she had raised the blind, and was about to throw the key from the open window.
She turned round, tossed the key in the air, and caught it in her hand with a laugh of triumph.
“Now,” she said, “I know you must come. For an English gentleman always keeps his word.”
She raised the curtain before the door, and put the key in the lock; before she turned it she twisted herself back towards the young fellow and said:
“Kiss me!”
He could not hesitate. If she would flirt it was not his fault. He put his arm round the lithe, bending waist, and pressed a passionate kiss on her red lips.
“Now I know you will come again,” she whispered as she let him out.