"Why not?" he enquired.
"Because...." She blushed deeply, rosy-red.
"Because what?"
"Because...." She looked down for just a moment, then raised her head with an adorable air of dignity most becoming, "you mustn't kiss me any more until after we're married. Aunt 'Liza always says a girl mustn't!"
"Married!" The thoroughly startled Mr. Bennet sank backward on the pink sofa. "Why...."
"Yes," repeated Arethusa. Then something in his expression suddenly frightened her; her face went chalk white. "Why.... Why did you.... Didn't you...."
"I think you've misunderstood me," began Mr. Bennet, gently, "I didn't mean...." Then he stopped awkwardly. For once in his life the Wonderful Mr. Bennet was at an utter loss for the words with which to continue a conversation with a lady.
"You ki ... kissed me," said Arethusa.
But Mr. Bennet made no reply. It was a Fact which it was unnecessary to confirm, and could not be denied.
"And di ... didn't you ... you mean," she continued slowly, "that you wanted to marry me?" She brought each word of this question out with difficulty. "I thought me ... men never kissed girls that way unless they wanted to marry them?" This last was also an interrogation.