“‘What means this behaviour, sir?’ exclaimed my charmer, endeavouring to look expressively angry, and struggling with me with all her might.
“‘I mean to honour you so far as to kiss you, Floss,’ I replied very quietly, though smarting from the pain of the blows.
“‘I’ll scream—I’ll raise the house—I’ll cry murder—I’ll——’
“‘I’m remarkably fond of music,’ said I, interrupting her; and in a moment afterwards I had both her arms tightly pressed to her body, and her face blushing and looking angry a few inches beneath my own.
“‘I’ll never let you see me again as long as I live—I’ll hate you—I’ll——’
“Her mouth was stopped by mine, and every time she attempted to speak I repeated the same interesting ceremony, which she struggled unavailingly to prevent; but with this revenge I was not satisfied.
“‘Let me go, sir; let me go this minute! You wretch, don’t you see how you’re rumpling my collar! Let me go, I command you!’
“‘Before I do that I shall first allow you the pleasure of kissing me,’ said I, with as much condescension as I could assume.
“‘Kiss you!’ cried Floss, looking as savage as an enraged turkey-cock; ‘I’d see you hanged first!’
“‘You’ll not go till you do,’ I replied, with all the coolness imaginable.