Ah, me! To go away and leave Crown Anstey--to leave you--I shall feel like Eve driven forth from Paradise to die." My hand lay carelessly on the back of a chair.

She bent down swiftly and laid her burning lips upon it.

I would not tell--my face flames as I write the word--but unless you know all, reader, you will not understand my story.
She laid her warm, soft lips upon it! And though I did not love her--did not even trust her--the magnetic touch thrilled every nerve.

I took my hand away.
"Ah, cousin!" she said, looking at me with those dark, dangerous eyes, "you love even your dog Hector better than me." She was so near to me that the perfume from her flowers reached me.

It was by a desperate effort I broke the spell.
"This room is insufferably warm," I said; "I am going into the garden.
You had better see if Clare wants anything, Coralie." So, like many another man, I ran away, not knowing how to meet my fair adversary on equal grounds..