The girl clung to him during a blissful instant.
"Oh!" she sighed, and "Oh!" again as though her heart was throbbing its life out. Then she murmured:
"You have not even asked me if I loved you, King Dick!"
With that she glanced up at him, and placed both hands on his shoulders.
"No," he said. "I only asked you to kiss me. I shall ask for your love when I may come without reproach and ask you to be my wife."
"Dick," she said, with adorable shyness, "it is not yet to-morrow."
He strained her to his breast. Their lips met again rapturously.
"Oh, my sweet," he said, "has ever man received more angelic answer to a question that filled his heart with longing throughout many days?"
"Yet you are leaving me, and of your own accord."
"Irene—you, too, are proud. Would you have me return now?"