Then her face broke into smiles.
"What liars women are!" she cried.

"Yes, I do care; not enough to grow wrinkled, but enough to wish I hadn't grown half a lady and could----" "You stop ?" "Could--could--could slap your face, Simon." "It would be a light infliction after breaking a man's heart," said I, turning my cheek to her and beckoning with my hand.
"You should have a revenge on my face; not in kind, but in kindness.

I can't strike a man who won't hit back." She laughed at me with all her old enticing gaiety.
I had almost sealed the bargain; she was so roguish and so pretty.

Had we met first then, it is very likely she would have made the offer, and very certain that I should have taken it.

But there had been other days; I sighed.
"I loved you too well once to kiss you now, mistress," said I.
"You're mighty strange at times, Simon," said she, sighing also, and lifting her brows.