"Nay, now," she laughed, "do you remember how you played with me at that state dinner held in Johnson Hall? You rode me down rough-shod, Michael, and used me shamefully there, under the stairs."
"I'll do the like again if you provoke me," I said, but had not meant to say it either, being troubled by her eyes.
"The—the like—again? And what was that, pray?"
"You know," I said, sulkily.
"I think you—kissed me—"
"I think I did," said I; "and left you all in tears."
It was brutal, but I meant to make an end.
"Did you believe that those were real tears?" she asked, innocently.
"By Heaven, I know they were," said I, with satisfaction, "and small vengeance to repay the ill you did me, too."