"Never, John!"
"Why then——" said he and paused to look up the lane once more.
"What, John?"
"You force me to——" He paused and glanced down the lane.
"To—what, John!"
"To carry you!"
"Never, John! For shame! Besides you couldn't. I'm a vast weight and——"
The Major picked her up, then and there, and began to carry her down the lane. And after they had gone some distance she sighed and with a little wriggle disposed herself more comfortably; and after they had gone further still he found two smooth, round arms about his neck and thereafter a soft breath at his ear.
"Pray don't be angry with your Betty, John dear." The Major stopped and stared down at her in the brilliant moonlight. Her eyes were closed, her rosy lips just apart, curving to a smile; he drew a sudden deep breath, and stooping his head, kissed her. For a long moment he held her thus, lip to lip, then all at once he set her down on her feet.
"Gad!" he cried, "what kind of woman are you to lure and mad me with your kisses——"