"And such a strange girl, Thusis."
"I know. And you and I have no business to play together. And we can't unless we're very, very careful. We ought not to. You think so from your standpoint, and I know it from mine. And yet—if you will be very, very careful—I'll risk it—a little while longer.... Because I—I don't know why—I like to laugh at you, Don Michael.... And I laugh at those only whom I like."
"I think," said I, "that I'm rather near to falling in love with you, Thusis."
"Oh!" she cried with her breathless, bewildering smile, "I couldn't permit you to do that!"
"Permit me?"
"No. You mustn't. That would never do! No—no indeed! Never! Just find me gay and frivolous and rather pretty in my way—just attractive enough to remain good humored when I plague you."
"If I should fall in love with you I couldn't help it."
"But it would be such a mistake. You mustn't do it. I don't wish to think about such things. It wouldn't do for me. Or for you. I mean as far as I am concerned."
"You mean you could not respond, Thusis?"
"Oh, no, I couldn't." In her hurried voice there was a faint hint of alarm, I thought.