"And now I'm going to——" The words were brave, but there was something in the pose and poise of her—the wonder of her beauty, the majesty—perhaps the slightest withdrawal, the start of surprise—that awed me. Lamely enough the sentence ended:
"Helen, kiss me!" I begged, hoarsely.
For just a fraction of a second she hesitated. Then the merriment of coquetry again sparkled in her smile.
"Ah, but I'm afraid—" she mocked.
Her eyes danced with mischief as she drew away from me.
"I'm afraid of a man who's going to be a great city lawyer. And then—oh, listen!"
Hurried, ostentatiously heavy footsteps sounded in the hall. They stopped at the door, and some one fumbled noisily at the knob. There was a stage cough, and Kitty plunged into the room, carefully unnoticing.
"Such an idea for—a hippopotamus comic," she panted; "a darling! Sent drawings down—messenger—rushed back to sketch—"
Here she paused to take breath.
"—lest I forget."