Not until the sound of approaching steps grew near did Josephine make an effort to free herself from Philip's arms.

Unresisting she had given him her lips to kiss; for one rapturous moment he had felt the pressure of her arms about his shoulders; in the blue depths of her eyes he had caught the flash of wonderment and disbelief, and then the deeper, tenderer glow of her surrender to him.

In this moment he forgot everything except that she had bared her secret to him, and in baring it had given herself to him.

Even as her hands pressed now against his breast he kissed her lips again, and his arms tightened about her.
"They are coming to the door, Philip," she panted, straining against him.

"We must not be found like this!" The voice was booming in the hall again, calling her name, and in a moment Philip was on his feet raising Josephine to him.