Besides which, after so much affection shown and (I believe) felt upon both sides, it would have looked cold-like to be anyways stiff.

Accordingly, I got my courage up and my words ready, and the last chance we were like to be alone, asked pretty boldly to be allowed to salute her in farewell.
"You forget yourself strangely, Mr.Balfour," said she.

"I cannot call to mind that I had given you any right to presume on our acquaintancy." I stood before her like a stopped clock, and knew not what to think, far less to say, when of a sudden she cast her arms about my neck and kissed me with the best will in the world.
"You inimitable bairn!" she cried.

"Did you think that I would let us part like strangers?
Because I can never keep my gravity at you five minutes on end, you must not dream I do not love you very well; I am all love and laughter, every time I cast an eye on you! And now I will give you an advice to conclude your education, which you will have need of before its very long.

Never _ask_ women-folk.