She put her arm (how warm it felt!) about his neck; he yielded stiffly and ungraciously to the pressure; she drew down his head, and kissed him.

His lips touched but did not press hers; they met, but did not join.

In his sullen and angry silence he would not look.

She drew still nearer, and whispered his name.
Then he broke out: he pushed her away; his petty jealousy and injured self-esteem poured out upon her.
"I am not the heir to an earldom," he said; "I do not ride with a score of gentlemen at my back.

They have some wonderful diamonds, have they not--_Countess ?_" "Felix!" "It is no use.