At that, he slipped an arm round her, and pressed her close. Then he plunged into fluent talk about the afternoon's events, and his accepted offer of service, till Mrs Elton, resplendent in flame-coloured brocade, surged into the room.
It was a purely civil dinner; not Hayes, to Roy's relief. Directly it was over the bridge players disappeared; Mr Elton was called away—an Indian gentleman to see him on urgent business; and they two, left alone again, wandered out into the verandah.
By now, her beauty and his possessive instinct had more or less righted things; and her nearness, in the rose-scented dark, rekindled his fervour of last night.
Without a word he turned and took her in his arms, kissing her again and again. "'Rose of all roses! Rose of all the world!'" he said in her ear.
Whereat, she kissed him of her own accord, at the same time lightly pressing him back.
"Have mercy—a little! If you crush roses too hard their petals drop off!"
"Darling—I'm sorry!" The great word was out at last; and he felt quaintly relieved.
"You needn't be! It's only—you're such a vehement lover. And vehemence is said—not to last!"
The words startled him. "You try me."
"How? An extra long engagement?"