"No. You're glorious. I don't blame you."
She seized both his hands, still laughing.
"You know how it is yourself? You do the same thing when your door is locked—now don't you?"
"Of course."
"You can't help being a little vain, Jim, any more than I can. You know you're a stunning-looking fellow. These Yankee girls all love you at first sight—the tall, straight, sinewy figure, strong and swift in every movement, the finely chiselled face, the deep-set, dark brown eyes under their heavy brows, that big masterful jaw and firm mouth——"
Stuart suddenly took her in his arms and kissed her into silence.
"Hush, Nan. I don't like the way you say that!"
"Why? Am I too modest?"
"No, too deliberate and coldly mistress of yourself. I wish you loved me a little more tumultuously, as I do you."
"Well, let me whisper then that your return to-night has made a perfect ending to a perfect day. Oh, Jim, I've been so happy to-night! Seated in that big stage box, I felt that I was somebody. This is the first really decent dress I've ever had in my life."