His Hour

"I am not forcing you to smoke. I like your pretty teeth best as they

are!"

Rebellion shook Tamara. It was his attitude toward her--one of supreme

unconcerned command--as though he had a perfect right to take his

pleasure out of her conversation, and play upon her emotions, according

to his mood. She could have boxed his ears.

"How long ago is it since we danced in Egypt--a fortnight, or more? You

move well, but you don't know anything about dancing," he went on.

"Dancing is either a ridiculous jumping about of fools, who have no

more understanding of its meaning than a parcel of marionettes. Or it

is an expression of some sort of emotion. The Greeks understood that in

their Orchiesis, each feeling had its corresponding movement. For me it

means a number of things. When a woman is slender and pliant and smooth

of step, and if she pleases me otherwise, then it is not waste of

time!--Tonight I shall probably get drunk again," and he flicked the

ash off his cigarette with his little finger; and even though Tamara

was again annoyed with him, she could not help noticing that his hands

were fine and strong.

"But you were not drunk on the ship--you could not even plead that,"

she said, almost shocked at herself for speaking of anything so

horrible.

"It is the same thing. I feel a mad supercharge of life--an

intoxication of the senses, perhaps. It has only one advantage over the

champagne result. I am steady on my feet, and my voice is not thick!"

Tamara did not speak.

"I wonder what this music we shall hear will say to you. Will it make

the milk and water you call blood in your veins race?--it will amuse me

to see."

"I am not made for your amusement, Prince. How dare you always treat me

as you do?" And Tamara drew herself up haughtily. "And if my veins

contain milk and water, it is at least my own."

"You dared me once before, Madame," he said, smiling provokingly. "Do

you think it is quite wise of you to try it again?"

"I do not care if it is wise or no. I hate you!" almost hissed poor

Tamara.

Then his eyes blazed, as she had never seen them yet. He moved nearer

to her, and spoke in a low concentrated voice.

"It is a challenge. Good. Now listen to what I say. In a little short

time you shall love me. That haughty little head shall lie here on my

breast without a struggle, and I shall kiss your lips until you cannot

breathe."