But I warn you I shan't accept the position for long. I shall
begin again."
"Well, but not yet!--not for a long time," she pleaded. Then she gave a
little impatient stamp, as she walked beside him.
"I tell you--I don't want to be bound. I won't be bound! I want to be
free."
"So you said--_a propos_ of Philip," he retorted drily.
He saw the shaft strike home--the involuntary dropping of the eyelids,
the soft catch in the breath. But she rallied quickly.
"That was altogether different! You had no business to say that,
Geoffrey."
"Well, then, forgive me--and keep me quiet--just--just one kiss, Helena!"
The last passionate words were hardly audible. They had passed into the
deepest shadow of the avenue. No one was visible in all its green length.
They stood ensiled by summer; the great trees mounting guard. Helena
threw a glance to right and left.
"Well, then--to keep you quiet--_sans prejudice_!"
She demurely offered her cheek. But his lips were scarcely allowed to
touch it, she drew away so quickly.
"Now, then, that's quite settled!" she said in her most matter-of-fact
voice.
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