"No, you wouldn't beat me, Billikins.
You--you wouldn't, dear, would you ?" Her great eyes, dilated and imploring, gazed into his for a long desperate second ere she gave herself back to him with a sobbing laugh.

"You're not in earnest, of course.

I'm silly to listen to you.

Do kiss me, darling, and not frighten me anymore!" He held her close, but still he did not comply with her request.

"Did this Silvester ever kiss you ?" he asked.
She shook her head vehemently, hiding her face.
"Look at me!" he said.
"No, Billikins!" she protested.
"Then tell me the truth!" he said.
"He kissed me--once, Billikins," came in distressed accents from his shoulder.
"And you ?" Merryon's words sounded clipped and cold.
She shivered.