"Why this sudden haste?" he asked.
"Oh, I must get home. What a nasty wind!"
"Aagot!"
She shot him a swift glance; his voice had trembled; she felt a warm glow throughout her being. No, she couldn't make herself colder than she was; her eyes drooped again and she leaned toward him; her arm brushed his sleeve.
He spoke her name again with infinite tenderness, and she yielded.
"Give me a little time, please! Whatever shall I do? I will love you if you will only let me alone now."
He was silent.
Finally they reached the last crossing. Ole Henriksen's house could be seen in the distance. The sight of that house seemed to bring her to her senses. Whatever could she have said? Had she promised anything? No, no, nothing! And she said with averted eyes:
"That which has happened to-day—your having kissed me—I regret it; God knows I do! I grieve over it—"
"Then pronounce the sentence!" he answered briskly.