Again he turned and looked at her. Their horses were now walking side by side, and very close; one ungloved hand lay upon her knee.
He leaned over and took it, and attempted to draw her towards him.
"No, no, not that; please not that."
"Why?"
"Can't you see—can't you understand? You and I are going to part—this very night, in fact, and—and—Oh, please do not."
He paid little heed to what she was saying, but drew her closer to him. The blood rushed to her cheeks, suffusing them with a deep red glow. Nearer and nearer he drew her, until, half-resisting, half-willing, her lips met his. It was but for an instant, and then all was over. She drew herself away from him, and the blood faded from her face until it was very white. Two tears welled up into her big blue eyes, overflowed, and ran down her cheeks.
"Oh, why did you do it? Otherwise we might have remained friends. But now," and she looked him fair in the face, while her words came slowly and distinctly, "you belong to me, for you are the only man that has ever kissed my lips."
A little shiver passed over Jack as he heard her speak. He could find no explanation for the feeling.
The next day Miss Easton found on her