Emil gazed at her, smiling.

"Do you love me?" he asked.

She drew him towards her and kissed him of her own accord.... It was thefirst time that day that she had given him a kiss of her own accord, andin doing so she felt that she was not acting in accordance with herresolve of the evening.... She tried to think what that resolve hadbeen.... To compromise herself in no way; to deny herself.... Yes, therehad certainly been a time when that had been her wish, but why? She always wasin love with him, really and truly; and the moment had arrived which shehad been awaiting for days.... No, for fortnights!

Still their lips remained pressed together.... Ah, she longed to feel hisarms about her ... to be his, body and soul. She would not let him talkany more ... he would have to take her unto himself.... He would have torealize that no other woman could love him so well as she did....

Emil rose to his feet and paced up and down the little chamber a few times.Bertha raised her glass of champagne to her lips again.

"No more, Bertha," exclaimed Emil, in a low tone.