They met Wharton's half in wonder.

He was kneeling beside her, holding her.

But for an instant she realised nothing except his look, to which her own helplessly replied.
"Once!" she heard him whisper.

"Once! Then nothing more--for ever." And stooping, slowly, deliberately, he kissed her.
In a stinging flow, life, shame, returned upon her.

She struggled to her feet, pushing him from her.
"You dared," she said, "_dared_ such a thing!" She could say no more; but her attitude, fiercely instinct, through all her physical weakness, with her roused best self, was speech enough.