"What for?" he inquired mistrustfully.
"Because I ask you."
He yielded to my request; he kissed me several times, mingling the caresses with broken speech.
"I am sure you are going to confess," he said, "quite sure: you know how hard it would be for me to leave off being fond of you—I am sure you will."
I looked at him blinded by tears; then I rose, untwined my arms from around his neck, and left him—I had accepted my destiny. Cornelius rose too, pale with anger.
"Do you mean to brave me?" he asked indignantly.
I did not answer.
"Daisy," he said again, "I hear a step—I give you another chance— confess before Kate or Miriam enters—a word will suffice."
But my lips remained closed and mute.
"Just as you like," he exclaimed, turning away angrily.