"It has made no difference," she repeated. "Please don't think it has."
His arms had imprisoned her waist; she dropped her head and her hand slipped from the knob of the great oak door as he drew her toward him.
"In armour!" she protested, trying to speak lightly, but avoiding his eyes.
"Is that anything new?" he said. "You are always instantly in armour when my lightest touch falls on you. Why?"
He lifted her drooping head until it rested against his arm.
"Isn't it anything at all to you when I kiss you?" he asked unsteadily.
She did not answer.
"Isn't it, Jacqueline?"
But she only closed her eyes, and her lips remained coldly unresponsive to his.
After a moment he said: "Can't you care for me at all—in this way? Answer me!"