"You know--you MUST know--I did not mean--"

No reply.

"Mr. Jeff!"

Her little hand fluttered toward him, and lit upon his sleeve, where it
was suddenly captured and pressed passionately to his lips.

"I did not mean to be thoughtless or unkind," said Miss Mayfield,
discreetly keeping to the point, and trying weakly to disengage her
hand. "You know I wouldn't hurt your feelings."

"I know, Miss Mayfield." (Another kiss.)

"I was ignorant of your history."

"Yes, miss." (A kiss.)

"And if I could do anything for you, Mr. Jeff--" She stopped.

It was a very trying position. Being small, she was drawn after her hand
quite up to Jeff's shoulder, while he, assenting in monosyllables, was
parting the fingers, and kissing them separately. Reasonable discourse
in this attitude was out of the question. She had recourse to strategy.

"Oh!"

"Miss Mayfield!"