And Paul asked her wickedly, what foolish boy she was talking about now? _He_ knew what he really wanted--always--and was not sorry when he had it. Not he! He was sorry only for the good things he had let slip, never for those he had taken!
"But--do let me go, Paul! I don't belong to you!"
"Yes you do--for a little while!" He held her close.
Belong to him! How she thrilled at the thought! Was this what it meant to be--loved? And _did_ she belong to him--if only, as he said, for a little while? She certainly didn't belong to herself! Whatever this madness that had suddenly taken possession of her, it was stronger than herself. She couldn't control it--she didn't even want to! At all events, she was _living_ to-night! Her blood was rushing madly through her body. She was deliciously, thoroughly alive!
"Yes, dear!" the answer strangely muffled.
And then she purred in his ear, all the time caressing his cheek with her small white fingers: "You see, Paul, I knew I had made some sort of impression upon you. I must have done so or you wouldn't have--done that! But any girl can make an impression on shipboard, and an affair at sea is always so--evanescent, that no one expects it to last more than a week. I don't want to make such a transitory impression upon you, Paul. I wanted you to remember me longer. I wanted--oh, I wanted to give you something to remember that was just a little bit different than other girls had given you--some distinct impression that must linger with you--always--always! I'm not like other women! Do you see, Paul? It was all sheer vanity. I wanted you to remember!"
"Of course! All men forget a kiss as soon as their lips cease tingling!"
Paul laughed. "Wise girl! Who taught you so much? Come, confess!"
"Oh, I've known _you_ a whole week, Paul, and you----"
But their lips met again and the sentence was never finished.
At last she put her hands on each side of his face and looked up into his eyes.
"You misunderstood me!--I said _'Not'_! But why? Are you ashamed of me?"
"I ought to be, oughtn't I? But--I don't believe you can help it!"
His lips crushed hers again, fiercely. "I can't, Opal--I can't!"
She turned away her head, but he buried his face in her neck, kissing the soft flesh again and again.