Nino touched it, then took it.

He could see the blush spread to her white throat, and fade again.
Between the half-falling curtain and the great window he bent his knee and pressed her fingers to his lips.

She made as though she would withdraw her hand, and then left it in his.

Her glance stole to him as he kneeled there, and he felt it on him, so that he looked up.

She seemed to raise him with her fingers, and her eyes held his and drew them; he stood up, and, still holding her hand, his face was near to hers.