"Do you dare to deny your farewell embrace ?" "Madam--really I----" He was more embarrassed than ever.

It was untrue to say that he had kissed her.

The kisses were hers and hers alone, but it would be ungallant to tell her so.

He cursed the evil star which had chanced to throw her against him at such a crisis.

Lavinia might make her appearance at any moment and what would she think?
But the stars had nothing to do with the matter, nor chance either.