"Peggy," he cried, "you are a tantalising little fiend!"
Peggy shook with laughter. She was absolutely happy. "I suppose I ought not to have said that," she bubbled.
"Why not?" he asked, and into his voice came something of deep yearning, and the note of passion restrained till now, broke through all reserves and all defences at last.
"Why not?" he said. Again his voice grew in emotional force and power. "Why not, Peggy? I love you when you are in this mood. I love you in all your moods, dear."
Peggy slid down from the end of the sofa and moved a little way towards the door of her bedroom. "What about that cigarette?" she asked, and there was a distinct note of nervousness in her voice.
She had provoked the beginnings of passion, and, having done so, womanlike, she was startled and afraid.
"Cigarette," he said. "Oh, I haven't finished it yet. But listen! Peggy darling, you must listen!"
She was really startled now. "Not to-night, Colling; you promised," she said. "Now, Colling, go—please go!"
"I can't go, Peggy; I love you so!" he answered.
"Please, Colling, don't talk like that!"