“And since then?” Merle let her eyes rest on this flourishing gentleman, who looked as if he could never have had a trouble in the world.
“Since then, dear lady?—since then? Let me see. Why, at this moment I really can’t remember ever having met any other woman except . . .”
“Except . . . ?”
“Except yourself, madam.” And he bowed.
“You are TOO kind!”
“And, that being so, don’t you think it’s your plain duty, as a hospitable hostess, to grant me . . .”
“Grant you—what? A piece of cheese?”
“Why, no, thanks. Something better. Something much better than that.”
“What, then?”
“A kiss. I might as well have it now.” As he took a step nearer, she looked laughingly round for a way of escape, but he was between her and the door.