Page:Arthur Stringer - Twin Tales.djvu/253

Rh flower soft, in the ragged square of moonlight which fell across her shoulders. He rose to his feet and stood beside her, with his pulses pounding. Then in the silence he reached out for her hand and turned her about so that she faced him.

"Don't you see what it means to me?" he said, his face above hers in the uncertain light.

She looked down at her imprisoned hand, but that was all. He leaned closer. Her eyes closed as he kissed her.

"You must not do that if you don't mean it," she said almost abruptly and with a passionate intensity which startled him.

"But I do mean it, so much more than I could ever put into words," he cried, more shaken than he had imagined. "I love you."

Her hand went up to his shoulder in a gesture of helplessness.

"Are you sure?" she exacted. "Are you certain?" she repeated, with a soft desperation which left her adorable.