He was past caring about the footmen seeing.

It was his only chance.
So when they came to the threshold of the big, double doors he bent down and drew her to him, and gave her the golden key.

And then he pressed his warm, young, passionate lips to hers.

Oh! the mad joy of it! And even if it were only from duty and to play the game, she had not resisted him as upon that other occasion.

He felt suddenly, absolutely intoxicated, as he had done on the wedding night.