I want you to know that I am not running away
from home, that I shall return to it when I see fit, and that I am
not in love with the man they suspect. I want you to be just with me.
You are not to blame my father for anything, no matter how absurd his
actions may appear to you in the light of the past few days. It is
right that he should try to safeguard me. I am wayward but I am not
foolish. I shall commit no silly blunder, you may be sure of that.
Now do you understand me better?"
She was very serious, very intense. He laid his hand on hers, and she
did not withdraw it. Emboldened, his hand closed upon the dainty
fingers and an instant later they were borne to his hot lips.
"You have said that I came here in search of a light adventure," he
whispered, holding her hand close to his cheek as he bent nearer to
her. "You imply that I am a trifler, a light-o'-love. I want you to
understand me better. I came here because I--"
"Stop!" she pleaded. "You must not say it. I am serious--yes, I know
that you are serious too. But you must wait.
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