Lord Curryfin. Partiality! Say love, adoration, absorption of all feelings into one.
Miss Niphet.. Then you may call me Alice. But once more, let go my hand.
Lord Curryfin. My hand, is it not?
Miss Niphet.. Yours, when you claim it.
Lord Curryfin. Then thus I seal my claim.
He kissed her hand as respectfully as was consistent with 'masterless passion'; and she said to him, 'I will not dissemble. If I have had one wish stronger than another—strong enough to exclude all others—it has been for the day when you might be free to say to me what you have now said. Am I too frank with you?'
Lord Curryfin. Oh, heaven, no! I drink in your words as a stream from paradise.
He sealed his claim again, but this time it was on her lips. The rose again mantled on her cheek, but the blush was heightened to damask. She withdrew herself from his arms, saying, 'Once for all, till you have an indisputable right.'