And he felt a sort of shame.
"I was obliged to ask. Do you know where he lives?"
"Yes."
"You must not go there. And he must not come to you, here."
Her lips quivered; but she bowed her head. Suddenly he found her quite
close to him, speaking almost in a whisper:
"Please do not take him from me altogether. I will be so careful. I will
not do anything to hurt him; but if I cannot see him sometimes, I shall
die. Please do not take him from me." And catching his hand between her
own, she pressed it desperately. It was several seconds before Keith
said:
"Leave that to me. I will see him. I shall arrange. You must leave that
to me."
"But you will be kind?"
He felt her lips kissing his hand. And the soft moist touch sent a queer
feeling through him, protective, yet just a little brutal, having in it
a shiver of sensuality. He withdrew his hand. And as if warned that she
had been too pressing, she recoiled humbly. But suddenly she turned,
and stood absolutely rigid; then almost inaudibly whispered: "Listen!
Someone out--out there!" And darting past him she turned out the light.
Almost at once came a knock on the door. He could feel--actually feel
the terror of this girl beside him in the dark.
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