With snuggling, budging, and nudging-movements he spread the fingers slightly wider as his nose penetrated into the sheer delight and loveliness of her hand.
He came to rest, his golden muzzle soft-enfolded to the eyes, and was very still, all forgetful of the _Ariel_ showing her copper to the sun under the press of the wind, all forgetful of Michael growing small in the distance as the whaleboat grew small astern.

No less still was Villa.

Both were playing the game, although to her it was new.
As long as he could possibly contain himself, Jerry maintained his stiffness.

And then, his love bursting beyond the control of him, he gave a sniff--as prodigious a one as he had sniffed into the tunnel of Skipper's hand in the long ago on the deck of the _Arangi_.

And, as Skipper had relaxed into the laughter of love, so did the lady-god now.
She gurgled gleefully.