I attempted a reconciliation, and kneeling down I passed my arms caressingly around her.

'Look here,' said I, 'my own poor little darling, if I've done wrong, I'm sorry, and--' "Well, what do you think my lady did ?" "I don't know." "She _kicked me_! that's all; she kicked me, just as I was apologizing to her--just as I was trying to make it up.

She kicked me! when I had done nothing, and she alone had been to blame.

What's more, her boots were rather heavy, and that kick made itself felt unmistakably.
"I at once arose, and left her without a word.

I did not speak to her then for some time.