He pressed her to him till he almost stifled her with the pressure of his arms:
"Tell me, do you belong to me?"
"Yes."
"What used you to say to me in the old days, when you were in love with me?"
She hesitated.
"What used you to say?" he insisted, holding her still more tightly.
Pushing her hands against his shoulders, she fought to catch her breath:
"My Rud!" she murmured. "My beautiful, glorious Rud!"
Automatically she now wound her arms around his head. He released her as with an effort of will:
"Take off your things," he said, "and try to get some sleep. I'll come back later."