Desperate Remedies
‘O, Edward,’ said Cytherea, ‘you must do something that has just come
into my head!’
‘Well, dearest--I know.’
‘Yes--give me one half-minute’s row on the lake here now, just as you
did on Budmouth Bay three years ago.’
He handed her into the boat, and almost noiselessly pulled off from
shore. When they were half-way between the two margins of the lake, he
paused and looked at her.
‘Ah, darling, I remember exactly how I kissed you that first time,’ said
Springrove. ‘You were there as you are now. I unshipped the sculls in
this way. Then I turned round and sat beside you--in this way. Then I
put my hand on the other side of your little neck--’
‘I think it was just on my cheek, in this way.’
‘Ah, so it was. Then you moved that soft red mouth round to mine--’
‘But, dearest--you pressed it round if you remember; and of course I
couldn’t then help letting it come to your mouth without being unkind to
you, and I wouldn’t be that.’
‘And then I put my cheek against that cheek, and turned my two lips
round upon those two lips, and kissed them--so.’