"
"You are becoming quite hard to please," her face turned partially
away, her look meditative, "and--and dictatorial; but I will try. You
are intelligent, a splendid dancer, fairly good-looking, rather bright
at times, and, no doubt, would prove venturesome if not held strictly
to your proper place. Take it all in all, you are even interesting,
and--I admit--I am inclined to like you."
The tantalizing tone and manner nerved him; he grasped the white hand
resting invitingly on the grass, and held it firmly within his own.
"You only make sport as you did once before. I must have the whole
truth."
"Oh, no; to make sport at such a time would be sheerest mockery, and I
would never dare to be so free. Why, remember we are scarcely more
than strangers. How rude you are! only our third time of meeting, and
you will not release my hand."
"Not unless I must, Naida," and the deep ringing soberness of his voice
startled the girl into suddenly uplifting her eyes to his face. What
she read there instantly changed her mood from playfulness to earnest
gravity.
"Oh, please do not--do not say what you are tempted to," her voice
almost pleading.
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