And women are so funny anyway! She probably thinks these delays and subterfuges are necessary to differentiate her from a cocotte.

Or perhaps there is a physical necessity for stalling me off another day." He sought other reasons but could find none.
"Deep down in my heart," he said, vexed in spite of himself by this rebuff, "I know I have been an imbecile.

I ought to have acted the cave man and paid no attention to her supplications and lies.

I ought to have taken violent possession of her lips and breast.

Then it would be finished, whereas now I must begin at the beginning again, and God damn her! I have other things to do.
"Who knows whether she isn't laughing at me this very moment?
Perhaps she wanted me to be more violent and bold--but no, her soul-sick voice was not feigned, her poor eyes did not simulate bewilderment, and then what would she have meant by that _respectful_ kiss--for there was an impalpable shade of respect and gratitude in that kiss which she planted on my hand!" She was too much for him.