But she made a shrinking movement, and he, acutely sensitive, dropped her hands, and the love that had flamed in his eyes gave place to the dour look she did not know so well.
'Why do you always keep me at a distance ?' he said, and drew abruptly away from her.
'Dear man, you mustn't be importunate.

It--it's constitutional with me.
I've always hated love-making at close quarters.' 'Always! Does that mean that you've been in the habit of letting men kiss you ?' 'Colin, you are rude--brutal.' 'D'ye think so?
It seems to me that I'm only as Nature made me.
Biddy--if you feel like that now--how will it be when you're my wife ?' She flushed a little, but as her way was, evaded him.
'Perhaps I shall have grown more used to it all by that time.' 'The time is not so long--only a fortnight from now.

And when you hold me off from the touch of your hand--the feel of your lips--well, it makes me wonder....' She gave a little alarmed shiver.
'Don't wonder, Colin.

Don't worry....

And oh! before everything, don't drive me--it isn't safe with an O'Hara woman.