"Don't look so troubled, madame," he said. "I release you from your debt. You need never pay me what you owe me."
Up went her small head, fiercely, under its flashing hair:
"Thank you. I pay my debts!" she said crisply.
"You decline to accept your release?"
"Yes, I do!—from you!"
"You'll see this thing through!—if it takes all winter?"
"Of course;" trying to smile, and not succeeding.
He touched her arm and pointed out across the hot, perfumed gulf to the gilded clock on high:
"You have seen it through! It is now one minute to midnight. We have been here exactly one hour, lacking a minute, since our bet was on.... And I've wanted to kiss you all the while."
Confused, she looked at the clock under its elaborate azure and ormolu foliations, then turned toward him, still uncertain of her immunity.