"I think," said Norman, looking at his watch with a smile, "that it is just twenty minutes since I first saw you and already...."
"Well?"
"I love you very much." He meant only to say "I like you very much," but in southern lands the linguistic distinction does not exist.
The girl seized him by the wrists.
"Don't say things like that, you devil," she cried, "especially if you do not mean it. Yes, say it even if you do not mean it; I love to hear you saying it. But be very careful. We are not like heathen women."
"I mean it!" said Norman, perforce.
"Normano, did you treat all other girls like this in England, and do you think I allow other men...."
"It will be quite different," faltered Norman.
"Say it again!"
"Peronella, I really love you."