If this were to be all, he would take his fill at once, and she should have hers.

Before the dance was more than half through, he guided her out of the labyrinth into the darkly curtained recess that led out to the verandah, and there holding her, before she so much as realized that they had ceased to dance, he gathered her suddenly and fiercely to him and covered her startled, quivering face with kisses.
She made no outcry, attempted no resistance.

He had been too sudden for that.

His mastery was too absolute.

Holding her fast in the gloom, he took what he would, till with a little sob her arms clasped his neck and she clung to him, giving herself wholly up to him.
But when his hold relaxed at last, she hid her face panting against his breast.