Page:The Eyes of Innocence.djvu/144

140 married bliss is based. But the older woman's imperious eye nailed her to her chair; and, nodding her head at intervals, by way of assent, she had to listen to a long speech in which strange phrases like separate and common property, joint estate and settlements kept on recurring.

"That will do nicely," she said, with an air of deliberation, though she did not understand a single word of what was said.

"Are we agreed?"

"Quite, madame."

"Well, children, kiss each other and bless you!"

Guillaume stepped forward and his outstretched arms closed round Gilberte. He kissed her forehead, kissed her eyes. She released herself, blushing, and said:

"It is my first kiss, Guillaume."

He felt a momentary bitterness:

"Your first ... from me."

She smiled:

"A girl must not receive a kiss from any