Instantly a wild and insurgent emotion tingled through him. He
felt himself trembling and could not steady his nerves.

Without a word Nellie looked up and their eyes met. Something
electric flashed from one to another. Her shy fear of him was
adorable.

"Oh, don't, don't!" she murmured. "What will you think of me now?"

He had leaned forward and kissed her on the lips.

Jeff sprang to his feet, the muscles in his lean cheeks standing
out. Some bell of warning was ringing in him. He was a man, young
and desirous, subject to all the frailties of his sex, holding
experiences in his past that had left him far from a puritan. And
she was a woman, of unschooled impulses, with unsuspected banked
passions, an innocent creature in whom primeval physical life
rioted.

He moved toward the door, his left fist beating into the palm of
his right hand. He must protect her, against himself--and against
her innocent affection for him.

She fluttered past him, barring the way. Her cheeks were flaming
with shame.

"You despise me. Why did I let you?" A sob swelled up into her
soft round throat.

"You blessed lamb," he groaned.