35
hot breath of vehement desire; this lisped monosyllable was the willing consent to his eagerest wish.
"Then he hailed the passing cab, but it was some moments before the driver could be awakened and made to understand what we wanted of him.
"As I stepped in the vehicle, my first thought was that in a few minutes Teleny would belong to me. This thought acted upon my nerves as an electric current, making me shiver from head to foot.
"My lips had to articulate the words, 'Teleny will be mine,' for me to believe it. He seemed to hear the noiseless movement of my lips, for he clasped my head between his hands, and kissed me again and again.
"Then, as if feeling a pang of remorse,—'You do not repent, do you?' he asked.
"'How can I?'
"'And you will be mine—mine alone?'
"'I never was any other man's, nor ever shall be.'
"'You will love me for ever?'
"'And ever.'
