Holding her fast in the gloom, he
took what he would, till with a little sob her arms clasped his neck and
she clung to him, giving herself wholly up to him.
But when his hold relaxed at last, she hid her face panting against his
breast. He smoothed the dark hair with a possessive touch, laughing
softly at her agitation.
"Did you think you could get away from me, you brown elf?" he whispered.
"I--I could if I tried," she whispered back.
His hold tightened again. "Try!" he said.
She shook her head without lifting it. "No," she murmured,
with a shy laugh. "I don't want to. Shan't we go back--and
dance--before--before--" She broke off in confusion.
"Before what?" he said.
She made a motion to turn her face upwards, but, finding his still close,
buried it a little deeper. "I--promised the Colonel--I'd be good," she
faltered into his shoulder. "I think I ought to begin--soon; don't you?"
"Is that why I am to have only this one dance?" he asked.
"Yes," she admitted.
His caressing hand found and lightly pressed her cheek. "What are you
going to do when it's over?" he asked.
"I don't know," she said. "There's Billy. I may dance with him."
He laughed. "That's an exciting programme. Shall I tell you what I should
do--if I were in your place?"
"What?" said Dinah.
Again she raised her face a few inches and again, catching a glimpse of
the compelling blue eyes, plunged it deeply into his coat.
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