"Elsin," I said, after a moment's deliberation, "I'm ready to kiss you again."
"For Sir Peter's sake?"
"Partly."
"No, sir!" she said, turning her head; "that advances us nothing."
After a silence I said again: "Elsin!"
"Yes, Carus."
"I'm ready."
"For Sir Peter's sake?"
"No, for my own."
"Ah," she said gaily, turning a bright face to me, "we are advancing! Now, it is best that I refuse you--unless you force me and take what you desire. I accord no more--nothing more from this moment--until I give myself! and I give not that, either, until you take it!" she added, and cast her horse forward at a gallop, I after her, leaning wide from my saddle, until our horses closed in, bounding on in perfect stride together. Now was my chance.
"Carus! I beg of you--" Her voice was stifled, for I had put my arm around her neck and pressed her half-opened lips to mine. "You advance too quickly!" she said, flushed and furious. "Do you think to win a maid by mauling whether she will or no? I took no pleasure in that kiss, and it is a shame when both are not made happy. Besides, you hurt me with your roughness. I pray you keep your distance!"
I did so, perplexed, and a trifle sulky, and for a while we jogged on in silence.
Suddenly she reined in, turning her face over her shoulder.
"Look, Carus," she whispered, "there are horsemen coming!"
A moment later a Continental dragoon trotted into sight around the curve of the road, then another and another.
We were within the lines at last.