"Oh, I do not understand at all," Stella said, in a disappointed
and perplexed voice. "Since we are going to be married, why would
it be so very wrong for you to kiss me? I--I--" her small rueful
face, with its sweet childlike irregular curves, looked almost
pathetically comic, and Sasha leaned forward and covered his eyes
with his hands. And then he mastered himself and laughed softly.

"Oh, you adorable one!" he said. "It is not wrong--not the least
wrong. Only presently, when you do understand, you will realize
how very much I loved you to-day."

But Stella was still pouting--and got up restlessly and went to
the window.

"What can they do when they get to the Embassy?" she asked. "Could
they really take me back if they found me by telephoning round?"

"I do not think so--if you are past twenty-one."

"I was twenty-one in April. I am not a bit afraid of them, but I
do not want to have any row."

"When my sister has arrived you must write to your aunt, and tell
where you are and what are your intentions, then all will be
finished."

"Oh, I wish she would come, don't you?" Stella said.

"More than I can say, darling," he answered, fervently. "You will
not, I hope, find me so incomprehensible then."