She saw the admiration in Delavan’s face as his eyes followed her, and tilted her skirts in a way that would have scandalized her mother, although she observed that her companion seemed not at all dismayed by the glimpses of slender foot and ankle that she made possible. That occasional twinkle of amusement she took as a tribute to her gaiety and laughed and chattered all the more. “Has your true heart been pining, Miss Charlotte?” he presently asked in a quizzical tone, as he leaned upon the back of her chair, looking down smilingly into her pretty, upturned face. She flushed a little, but made wide eyes at him and said, “What do you mean?” “Oh, I was given to understand that some hearts in Hillside are in a rather bad way. Is yours true and does it pine?” She made a graceful little gesture and turned upon him with a merry face and a look distinctly provocative: “Suppose it was, either or both, what would it matter to you?” She looked up at him, smiling, with saucy lips and inviting eyes, and before she knew what he was doing he had slipped an arm around her waist and lifted her to her feet. She struggled to free herself, but he held her against his breast, pushed back her head and kissed her squarely upon the lips, once, twice, and thrice. With her hands against his chest she tried to push him away and struggled to turn her face from his. But she was helpless in his grasp until he released her. “You brute!” she exclaimed, dashing the angry tears from her eyes. “How dare you!” He leaned against the back of the chair, hand in pocket, and laughed indulgently. “Didn’t you want me to? It looked that way.” “Of course I didn’t,” she stormed. “You’re a horrid thing, and I hate you!” “Well, I’m glad to know you didn’t. It’s much better that you were only pretending.” “How do you think Rhoda will take it, when I tell her? And I shall!” “Oh, tell her if you like. But how do _you_ think she will take your trying to persuade a kiss from her lover?” Her eyes blazed angrily and she stamped her foot, but said nothing. “Never mind, little sister,” he went on, patting her shoulder. “I was only giving you a lesson, and it’s much better to keep such things in the family. Remember after this that if you ask a man so plainly to kiss you he’s very likely to do it.” “Don’t call me ‘sister,’ you horrid thing! I’m not!” she exclaimed, turning away. “I hope you will be some day.” “I won’t! Rhoda isn’t going to marry you!” “So she’s told me a number of times!” and he laughed again, an easy, happy, self-satisfied laugh. She faced about, curiosity in her heart. Had something happened without her knowledge? Would he seem so sure, would he wear openly that look of confident love if Rhoda had not accepted him? The imp of mischief stirred once more in her breast. She moved a step nearer. “Say, do you know, Jeff, that’s the first time a man ever kissed me!” “You’ve had better luck than you deserve, little sister.”