Does it give you no pleasure at all to be sitting here alone with me ?" He answered her deliberately; it was obvious that he was speaking the truth.
"I am not conscious that it does," he declared.

"The only feeling I am aware of at the present moment in connection with you, is the curiosity of which I have already spoken." She leaned a little towards him, extending her very shapely fingers.
Once more the smile at her lips transformed her face.
"Look at my hand," she said.

"Tell me--wouldn't you like to hold it just for a minute, if I gave it you ?" Her eyes challenged his, softly and yet imperiously.

His whole attention, however, seemed to be absorbed by her finger-nails.

It seemed strange to him that a girl in her straits should have devoted so much care to her hands.
"No," he answered deliberately, "I have no wish to hold your hand.