Good-by, before I make a fool of myself; and they are all coming this way, by the dogs' music." "Won't you kiss me, after bringing me this ?" "Kiss you ?" and she opened her eyes.
"If you please," said Lady Bassett, bending toward her, with eyes full of gratitude and tenderness.
Then the other woman took her by the shoulders, and plunged her great gray orbs into Bella's.
They kissed each other.
At that contact the stranger seemed to change her character all in a moment.

She strained Bella to her bosom and kissed her passionately, and sobbed out, wildly, "O God! you are good to sinners.

This is the happiest hour of my life--it is a forerunner.

Bless you, sweet dove of innocence! You will be none the worse, and I am all the better--Ah! Sir Charles.

Not one word about me to him." And with these words, uttered with sudden energy, she spurred her great horse, leaped the ditch, and burst through the dead hedge into the wood, and winded out of sight among the trees.
Sir Charles came up astonished.