Well, will you ?" "I don't know." She stops, and again casts that pretty glance at him.

"At all events, you will have to promise me one thing." "Anything." "No; I'm in earnest." "So am I." He ventures now to take one of the charming feet so close to him into one of his hands, and strokes the instep softly with the other.
"Oh no! you are never in earnest with me," says the girl.

"But what I want you to say is, that you won't do it again." "Do what ?" "Scold me." "Never--never!" says Rylton.
"That's a promise, mind." "I shall mind it." "Very well--I forgive you." "Let me bring you back to Mother Earth, then," says Rylton.
"No, thank you; I can take myself down." "That's being unkind to yourself.

Take down your friends if you like, but spare yourself." "I should like to take _you_ down," says she maliciously.
"Am _I_ your friend, then ?" "No--no, indeed!" "Well----" He pauses and looks at her.

All at once it seems to him that perhaps he _is_ her friend--a friend--a mere friend! But could a man who loved another woman be an honest friend to his wife?
"Are you ?" asks Tita.
"Yes.