art
of Bengal. Now let us get out. I am not at all sure the place is safe."

"Let me first take a souvenir!" she pleaded. An enamelled brick above
the arch had attracted her eye. Its design and colouring were still
fresh and clear despite the ages that had passed since it was fashioned.
"Look at it!" she coaxed. "Isn't it wonderful? You would think it had
come straight out of a jeweller's shop. How did they learn such work in
those far-off days?"

"Italian workmen were known to have been imported by wealthy princes for
the decoration of their temples and homes."

"Can't I have it?"

"Quite out of reach," he answered, stretching an arm upward.

"But I might try to punch it out with your knife, if you put me on your
shoulder."

Dalton was sure that no effort of hers would dislodge the brick;
moreover, he was doubtful of the wisdom of the experiment, considering
its position in the arch; but the blue eyes lifted to his were
undeniably bewitching, and the suggested method of the operation, too
much of a temptation to be resisted. He would let her try till she
admitted failure: the impulse to grant her the moon if she demanded it
was strong at the moment, so he gave her his knife and without much
effort hoisted her to his shoulder and allowed her to dig at will into
the arch. Her delicate fingers would soon tire of forcing the brick from
its solid bed. He, therefore, held her securely and closed his eyes not
to be blinded by the fine dust that showered over them both.

"Look out!" he warned her once, when the sound of falling mortar was
heavier than he had anticipated. "Don't bring the place about our ears."

"I don't want to be buried alive!" she replied. "It isn't as difficult
as I imagined. See, it is already loosening."

But he could not look up out of regard for his sight. For a moment he
had no actual concern with the work she was engaged upon, having allowed
himself to suffer distraction. With his arms about her, his face at her
waist, he was assailed with the temptation to bring matters between them
to a crisis. He was done with philandering and desired to end her folly
and his patience. What was easier than to draw her down to his breast
that he might cover her tempting lips with kisses? Though he was not in
love with Joyce after the manner of Ramjitsu, her mouth was alluringly
sweet, and her possible response to his passion would reward his daring.
There was the novelty, too, of acting the Prince Charming