"I suppose," she said, tauntingly, "you hope I'll believe that you refrained from kissing me out of some belated consideration for decency. But I know perfectly well that I perplexed you, and confused you and intimidated you."
"This is, of course, the true solution of my motives in not kissing you."
She turned toward him:
"What motive?"
"My motive for not kissing you. My only motive was consideration for you, and for the sacred conventions of Sainte Grundy."
"I believe," she said scornfully, "you are really trying to make me think that you could have done it, and didn't!"
"You are too clever to believe me a martyr to principle, madame!"
She looked at him, stamped her foot till the bangles clashed.
"Why didn't you kiss me, then?—if you wish to spoil my victory?"
"You yourself have told me why."