teardrops still sparkled on her lashes.

"Well? What are you thinking of now?" she asked.

"I think--I really think--under the circumstances I ought to kiss
you!" he said--"Don't you feel it would be right and proper? Even
on the stage the hero and heroine ACT a kiss when they're
engaged!"

She met his laughing glance with quiet steadfastness.

"I cannot act a kiss," she said--"You can, if you like! I don't
mind."

"You don't mind?"

"No."

He looked from right to left--the apple-boughs, loaded with rosy
fruit, were intertwined above them like a canopy--the sinking sun
made mellow gold of all the air, and touched the girl's small
figure with a delicate luminance--his heart beat, and for a second
his senses swam in a giddy whirl of longing and ecstasy--then he
suddenly pulled himself together.

"Dear Innocent, I wouldn't kiss you for the world!" he said,
gently--"It would be taking a mean advantage of you. I only spoke
in fun. There!--dry your pretty eyes!--you sweet, strange,
romantic little soul! You shall have it all your own way!"