"Are you hungry?"
"Starving."
"Poor fellow! I had no idea of it,—I shall see to it myself."
She left the room. Her brother remained sitting in the same attitude, a little bent forward, abstractedly gazing at the fire. Then all at once he saw and noticed me, as I sat apart quiet and silent. He beckoned; I approached.
"What shall I give you?"
"Nothing," was my laconic reply.
"But I want to give you something."
I hated the idea of my being paid for my secrecy and my punishment. I felt myself reddening as I answered—
"But I don't want anything, Cornelius."
"Don't you?" he replied, smiling, and before I knew what he was about, I found myself on the knee and in the arms of Cornelius, who was kissing me merrily. He had never done half as much since I was with him and his sister. My face burned with surprise and delight; he laughed, kissed me again, and said, with the secure smile of conscious power, "Well, what am I to give you?"