"What, and must we dispense with the sweet greeting of old days? Nay, then."
And with this he seized her in his arms, and pressed his lips to hers in kisses of a distinctly vinous flavour.
"How dare you?" exclaimed Beatrice, breaking breathlessly and indignantly from his embrace.
CHAPTER II THE MYSTERY OF THE RELIQUARY
Ivar, with a laugh at Beatrice's indignation, turned his attention to the brougham, apparently with a view of superintending the removal of his impedimenta.
"O, never mind your luggage," said the earl, in some surprise. "Jocelyn will see to that."
But Ivar, ignoring the suggestion, was concentrating all his care upon what seemed to be a long box wrapped in a covering of coarse linen. This a footman was bringing into the hall upon his shoulders, and while giving his burden a jerk to place it in a position more easy for carrying, the cloth, by some mischance, became partly ripped open.
A half-smothered exclamation and an angry glance at the awkward footman were eloquently expressive of Ivar's annoyance.