“Do you like me to carry you?”
She opened her eyes and they looked dreamily into his. He laughed, and bent his head, and kissed her. He had kissed her thousands of times before, but this time her soft lips met his for an instant, and when they parted, her eyes closed again, and she lay back very white in his arms. And John, too, was shaken, and held the delicate body very tight against him and quickened his pace.
He laid her gently on a couch in the sitting-room. Lady Blount was all for her going then and there to bed; but she pleaded for a sight of Herold. He came in a few moments afterwards. She roused herself, thanked him in her gracious way for the evening of delight.
“To-morrow, dear, I 'll tell you all about it. I am just a little bit dazed now.”
“Has it been a great adventure?” he asked, with a laugh.
Involuntarily she glanced at John and saw his eyes fixed on her. She flushed slightly.
“Perhaps the greatest of all,” she said.
The men walked together the common part of their homeward journey. John slipped his arm through his friend's, a rare demonstration of affection.
“Wallie, old man,” said he, “I 'm in hell again. I 've got to get out. I must n't see any more of Stella.”
“Why not?”