Alpha Book

And in that moment he caught her close, and thus, for the first time,
their lips met.
Oh, privileged finger-post to have witnessed that first kiss! To
have seen her start away and turn; to have felt her glowing cheek
pressed to thy hoary timbers; to have felt the sweet, quick tumult
of her bosom! Oh, thrice happy finger-post! To have seen young
Barnabas, radiant-faced, and with all heaven in his eyes! Oh, most
fortunate of finger-posts to have seen and felt all this, and to
have heard the rapture thrilling in his voice:
"Cleone!"
"Oh!" she whispered, "why--why did you?"
"Because I love you!"
"No other man ever dared to--"
"Heaven be praised!"
"Upon--the mouth!" she added, her face still hidden.
"Then I have set my seal upon it."
"And now,--am I--immaculate?"
"Oh--forgive me!"
"No!"
"Look at me."
"No!"
"Are you angry?"
"Yes, I--think I am, Barnabas,--oh, very!"
"Forgive me!" said Barnabas again.
"First," said my lady, throwing up her head, "am I--heartless and
a--coquette?"
"No, indeed, no! Oh, Cleone, is it possible you could learn to--love
me, in time?"
"I--I don't know.


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