The crash of the music, the hum of voices, and the song of the rippling fountains seemed to dazzle Ida May's senses.
"Promise me that you will marry me, my darling!" cried the impetuous lover. "Would it be so very difficult, Ida?" he whispered.
She clung to him, the terror deepening in her eyes.
"This is a little romance all our own," he added, clasping her closely. "Ida, let me kiss you!" He clasped his arms around her and drew her to his breast. "You are mine in life, mine in death, and mine through all eternity!"
He kissed the sweet lips over and over again.
She was so young that she believed him.
"Let us be married first, then we can talk over all these things after!" he exclaimed, impetuously.
She was dazed by his passionate words.
He felt quite sure that this sweet, beautiful, dainty young girl could not hold out against him if he only persisted.
One more bold stroke, and the heiress would be his.