"Yes? Tell me!"

"Crush you to death—like this!"

"Oh, if I could die like that—now, now…."

"No, no—but to crush you slowly, in a long, long kiss."

The twilight quivered in the room. And all was still.

A sound, a creaking noise as of a door in the next room opening.

Two heads were raised from the pillow, two hearts stopped beating.

Again—and more distinctly now—as if someone moved.

He sat up; the girl grasped his hand in fear.

They could hear it plainly now—footsteps, coming nearer. Heavily, hesitatingly, as if not knowing whether to go on or turn back.