He nodded, still holding her hand.

She said candidly: "So I feel today. You are haunting me, do you know? But in a week, who knows but that I may have changed my mind?"

"I'll take that risk."

"Will you?" She considered him, a rather mischievous smile hovering on her lips. "You have not kissed me, Charles," she murmured.

He caught the gleam under her long lashes, and laughed. "No."

"Don't you want to - dear Charles?"

"Yes, very much."

"Oh, this is a pistol held to my head! If I want to be kissed I must also be married. Is that it?" she asked outrageously.

"That is it, in a nutshell."

Her eyes began to dance. "Kiss me, Charles: I'll marry you," she said.