For answer he put his lips to hers, and kissed her again and again.
The girl drew back. Some vague instinct warned her.
"What is it, Sheumais? Why don't you speak?"
He drew her close again.
"Pulse of my heart, it is I who love you, I who love you best of all; it is I, Gloom Achanna!"
With a cry she struck him full in the face. He staggered and in that moment she freed herself.
"You coward!"
"Katreen, I——"
"Come no nearer. If you do, it will be the death of you!"
"The death o' me! Ah, bonnie fool that you are, and is it you that will be the death o' me?"