He drew her roughly to him, bent over her, looked into her eyes, and kissed her lips again and again.
"Can't you love me, Steve? Can't you?" he stammered.
"I—want to. I wish I did—the way you want me to."
"Will you try?"
"I don't know how to try."
"Do your lips on mine mean nothing to you?"
"Yes.... You are so dear.... I am wonderfully contented—and not afraid."
After a moment she released herself, laughed, and sat up, adjusting her hair with one hand and resting against his shoulder.
"A fine scandal if Helen should come in," she remarked. "It's odd to think of myself as married. And that's another thing, Jim. It never occurred to me until now, but I've no business to give myself up to you as I have to-night." She leaned forward on one elbow, musing for a while, then, lifting her head with a troubled smile: "But what is a girl to do when her brother suddenly turns into her lover? Must she forbid him to kiss her? And refrain from kissing him?——" She flung one arm around his neck impulsively. "I won't forbid you! I would have to if I were in love with you in the same way. But I'm not and I don't care what you do. And whatever you do, I adore anyway."
A key rattled in the lock; she sprang to her feet and went toward the door. Helen came in, and she saw Grayson and Grismer standing in the hallway.