With a glad cry Alfred caught her in his arms.

She tried to hide her face, but he got his hand under her chin and held it firmly so that the sweet crimson lips were very near his own.

Then he slowly bent his head.
Betty saw his intention, closed her eyes and whispered.
"Alfred, please don't--it's not fair--I beg of you--Oh!" That kiss was Betty's undoing.

She uttered a strange little cry.
Then her dark head found a hiding place over his heart, and her slender form, which a moment before had resisted so fiercely, sank yielding into his embrace.
"Betty, do you dare tell me now that you do not care for me ?" Alfred whispered into the dusky hair which rippled over his breast.
Betty was brave even in her surrender.

Her hands moved slowly upward along his arms, slipped over his shoulders, and clasped round his neck.