Page:The Diothas, or, A far look ahead (IA diothasorfarlook01macn).pdf/323

 in his study. What I did was wrong, very wrong, according to the then received standard of propriety; and I knew it. But, carried along by a seemingly incontrollable. impulse, I clasped her in my arms, and imprinted, not one kiss, but many, upon those virgin lips. For one blissful moment she yielded to my embrace, then gently, but firmly, disengaged herself, and stood before me pale and agitated.

"O Ismar, what have I done!" she exclaimed, and looked into my face, not reproachfully, but as if for sympathy. "How can I tell this? I, who never expected such a thing could happen, must now meet my father's reproachful eyes. But I must not linger, lest I lose courage altogether."

I was now sobered, and aghast at my own folly, the consequences of which I began to perceive. But I dared not even suggest the keeping of this matter from Hulmar. To do so would be to suggest a serious infraction of Reva's moral code,—would, perhaps, cost me her confidence forever. Girls were trained to regard it as a matter of the highest obligation to conceal from their mothers no dereliction of duty, no act, indeed, of whose propriety they entertained any doubt. Hulmar had, to a great extent, filled this office of moral director to his daughter. Still pale, but now outwardly calm, Reva entered her father's presence.

"What is the matter, Reva?" inquired he, looking up from his work, and at once struck by her manner.

"Father, I have to confess a great fault; I have allowed Ismar—to kiss me:" the utterance of the last words seemed to cost a great effort, and was accompanied by a deep blush.