I drew my chair closer to the dying fire. Behind the wall I could hear her steps moving up and down as she undressed. Now and then they paused; she was listening for the sound of my departure, uncertain, perhaps, whether I was still there. Some time had elapsed when the door opened gently. I twisted round. Her room was in darkness. She was standing on the threshold. Her feet were bare; she was clad in a white night-robe; across each shoulder, almost to her knees, hung down the red-gold ropes of her braided hair. “I meant what I said. I’m not going till you tell me.” Her green eyes met mine roguishly. “A persistent fool to-night,” she said. As the door was closing I threw after her, “That morning in Venice.... I was going to have asked you to marry me; you were gone....” Left alone with the last flame flickering in the grate, I watched the little gold shoes. CHAPTER IX--THE GARDEN WITHOUT WALLS The sun was streaming in across my shoulder. Someone had pulled back the curtains. I was stiff and stupid from my cramped position. Despite the morning, the electric-lights were still burning in the room; I blinked down at myself and was astonished to find that I was in evening-dress. As I eased myself up, something dropped to the floor--the gold shoes of Fiesole. From behind two warm arms fastened themselves about my neck, making me prisoner. “You’re up early, Dante C. You’re a great, stupid juggins to sit up all night and spoil your temper, just when I want you to be more than ordinarily pleasant.” “My temper’s not spoilt. Don’t worry.” “I take your word for it. I’ve got a secret to tell you. I’m going on the spree to-day--going to be immensely happy. I want you to help. If you’ve any of your tiresome scruples left over, you’d best chuck ’em; or I’ll find someone else.” “Bit early, isn’t it, to tackle a chap? I’m too stupid to know what you mean. But I’m game. How long’s this spree to last?” “Till it ends.” “Then it’ll last forever, so long as it’s just you and me.” She dug the point of her chin into my shoulder. Glancing sideways, I caught the impish sparkle of her eyes and the glow of her cheeks, flushed with health and excitement. “Perhaps you’d like to kiss me,” she whispered, bringing her demure red lips on a level with my mouth. “And now, perhaps you’d like to kiss me,” I suggested. When I attempted to rise, she restrained me. “Not till I’ve made my bargain and you’ve agreed to my terms. I haven’t made up my mind about you, so you needn’t start talking marriage. Don’t know what I’m going to do with you, Dannie. So you’re to come with me wherever I choose till I’m tired--and you’re to ask no questions. Understand?” “You never will be tired. I’m coming with you always.” “And you’ll ask no questions?” “No more than I can help.”