"I love you," he said. "I want you back. Now, do you understand, Steve? I love you! I love you!"
Confused, crushed hotly in his embrace, she stared blankly at him for one dizzy instant; then, in silence, she twisted her supple body backward and aside, and with both nervous hands broke loose the circle of his arms.
They were both rather white now; her breath came and went irregularly, checked in her throat with a little sob at intervals. She leaned back against the wall, one jewelled hand against her breast, looking aside and away from where he stood.
"I told you," he said, unsteadily.
She remained silent, keeping her gaze resolutely averted.
"You understand now, don't you?" he asked.
She nodded.
Then he caught her in his arms again, and she threw back her lovely head, looking at him with frightened eyes, defending her lips with a bare, jewelled arm across them.
He laughed breathlessly and kissed the partly clenched fingers.
"Don't," she whispered, her grey eyes brilliant with fear.