Page:'Twixt land and sea - tales (IA twixtlandseatale00conr).pdf/229

 of irresistible, reckless hopefulness he clapped both his hands on that waistand then the irritating music stopped at last. But, quick as she was in springing away from the contact (the round music-stool going over with a crash), Heemskirk’s lips, aiming at her neck, landed a hungry, smacking kiss just under her ear. A deep silence reigned for a time. And then he laughed rather feebly.

He was disconcerted somewhat by her white, still face, the big light violet eyes resting on him stonily. She had not uttered a sound. She faced him, steadying herself on the corner of the piano with one extended. hand. The other went on rubbing with mechanical persistency the place his lips had touched.

“What's the trouble?” he said, offended. “Startled you? Look here: don’t let us have any of that nonsense. You don’t mean to say a kiss frightens you so much as all that. I know better. I don’t mean to be left out in the cold.”

He had been gazing into her face with such strained intentness that he could no longer see it distinctly. Everything round him was rather misty. He forgot the overturned stool, caught his foot against it, and lurched forward slightly, saying in an ingratiating tone:

“I’m not bad fun, really. You try a few kisses to begin with”

He said no more, because his head received a terrific concussion, accompanied by an explosive sound, Freya had swung her round, strong arm with such force that the impact of her open palm on his flat check turned him half round. Uttering a faint, hoarse yell, the lieutenant clapped both his hands to the left side of