That was bribery, perjury, false pretences, robbery under arms, anything you will! I only wanted you to come." "That is a shameful confession!" she said; but her smile was gay enough, and she noiselessly shook out her fluffy skirts and settled herself a trifle more deeply among the pillows.
"Of course," she observed absently, "you are dreadfully mortified at yourself." "Naturally," he admitted.
The patter of the rain attracted her attention; she peered out through the blurred casements into the blackness.

Then, picking up his cap and indicating his raincoat, "Why ?" she asked.
"Oh--in case you hadn't come--" "A walk?
By yourself?
A night like this on the cliffs! You are not perfectly mad, are you ?" "Not perfectly." Her face grew serious and beautiful.
"What is the matter, Mr.Siward ?" "Things." "Do you care to be more explicit ?" "Well," he said, with a humourous glance at her, "I haven't seen you for ages.

That's not wholesome for me, you know." "But you see me now; and it does not seem to benefit you." "I feel much better," he insisted, laughing; and her blue eyes grew very lovely as the smile broke from them in uncertain response.
"So you had nothing really important to tell me, Mr.Siward ?" "Only that I wanted you." "Oh! ...

I said important." But he did not argue the question; and she leaned forward, broke a rose from its stem, then sank back a little way among the cushions, looking at him, idly inhaling the hothouse perfume.
"Why have you so ostentatiously avoided me, Mr.Siward ?" she asked languidly.
"Well, upon my word!" he said, with a touch of irritation.
"Oh, you are so dreadfully literal!" she shrugged, brushing her straight, sensitive nose with the pink blossom; "I only said it to give you a chance.

...