He observed her
closely. He had never seen her dressed as she was now, in a low-necked,
white dress with short sleeves. As he was a few moments before, such
new revelations of her beauty would have daunted him, would have
actually added to his demoralization, but now he contemplated her
with an intense, elated complacency. It was easier talking with Mr.
Edwards than with Madam, and half an hour had passed, when Perez rose
and said, this time without trying to excuse himself, that he must go.
Mrs. Edwards had some time before excused herself from the room.
Jonathan had also gone. Desire bade him good evening, and Squire
Edwards led the way into the store to show him out. But Perez, after
starting to follow him, abruptly turned back, and crossing the room
to where Desire stood, held out his hand. She hesitated, and then put
hers in it. He raised it to his lips, although she tried to snatch it
away, and then, as if the touch had maddened him, he audaciously drew
her to him and kissed her lips. She broke away, shivering and speechless.
Then he saw her face crimson to the roots of her hair. She had seen her
mother standing in the doorway, looking at her. But Perez, as he turned
and went out through the store, did not perceive this.
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