"Kiss me—kiss me—Jack." The whisper was like the faint moving of young leaves in the forest.
He bent his head.... Their lips met.... He saw the lids fall over her fathomless eyes like a curtain, and night became radiant day that instant love was born....
Suddenly he drew his arms away, rose and strode nervously into the hallway, leaving her in a crouching attitude upon the seat.
She waited eagerly, voiceless.
She perceived his figure between the portières and heard him say:
"I'm sorry—perhaps I must ask you to forgive me—I know I've been a fool—I shall go now——"
She glided toward him with a silent, undulating movement. He felt irresistibly impelled to meet her. Afterward he recalled how he had struggled that moment; had fought; had lost.
He felt her cool, soft arms against his cheeks.
"Don't go,—Jack," she whispered.
He raised his hands and seized her wrists as though to fling her from him.