Yet as his certainty faded her own grew, it seemed. His sense of honour was only one of the things that attracted her to him, and having him say something now was sweet and wonderful. He, she thinks, is right. Being carried away by passion is a dangerous thing, and she's already said that she wasn't yet ready to have sex with him, and as much as she wishes to continue she knows that truth still holds. She kisses his cheek, and then his lips, both light and brief as she tries to find words.

"You are the most handsome and noble man I have known," she says with no prevarication and great affection. "Still, you will stay? I should like to fall asleep with you."