"Let me go--please let me go, Mr. Wickersham," she exclaimed as she struggled.
"Oh, now don't get so excited," he said, drawing her all the closer to him, and holding her all the tighter. "It is not becoming to your beautiful eyes. Listen to me, my darling. I am not going to hurt you. I love you too much, little girl, and I want your love. Sit down. Listen to me." He tried to kiss her, but his lips just touched her face.
"No; I will not listen." She struggled to her feet, flushed and panting, but Wickersham rose too.
"I will kiss you, you little fool." He caught her, and clasping her with both arms, kissed her twice violently; then, as she gave a little scream, released her. "There!" he said. As he did so she straightened herself and gave him a ringing box on his ear.
"There!" She faced him with blazing eyes.
Angry, and with his cheek stinging, Wickersham seized her again.
"You little devil!" he growled, and kissed her on her cheek again and again.
As he let her go, she faced him. She was now perfectly calm.
"You are not a gentleman," she said in a low, level tone, tears of shame standing in her eyes.
For answer he caught her again.