The next moment she was in his arms. He could feel her heart beating against his side.
"What was it, Sheumais? What was that awful cry?" she whispered.
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—"