This would not do; the attitude of tension between them must be renewed at once.

"You'll forgive me ?" he began, in a quickly impassioned tone.

"It was only after you sang, a dream possessed me, and--" "I cannot stay to talk with you," Miss Betty interrupted, and added, with a straightforwardness which made him afraid she would prove lamentably direct: "I do not know you." Perhaps she remembered that already one young man had been presented to her by no better sponsor than a white cat, and had no desire to carry her unconventionality farther than that.

In the present instance there was not even a kitten.
She turned toward the house, whereupon he gave a little pathetic exclamation of pleading in a voice that was masterly, being as sincere as it was musical, and he took a few leaning steps toward her, both hands outstretched.
"One moment more!" he cried, as she turned again to him.

"It may be the one chance of my life to speak with you; don't deny me this .-- All the rest will meet you when the happy evening comes, will dance with you, talk with you, see you when they like, listen to you sing.